Self-driving carsickness

Abstract

This paper discusses the predicted increase in the occurrence and severity of motion sickness in selfdriving cars. Self-driving cars have the potential to lead to significant benefits. From the driver's perspective, the direct benefits of this technology are considered increased comfort and productivity. However, we here show that the envisaged scenarios all lead to an increased risk of motion sickness. As such, the benefits this technology is assumed to bring may not be capitalised on, in particular by those already susceptible to motion sickness. This can negatively affect user acceptance and uptake and, in turn, limit the potential socioeconomic benefits that this emerging technology may provide. Following a discussion on the causes of motion sickness in the context of self-driving cars, we present guidelines to steer the design and development of automated vehicle technologies. The aim is to limit or avoid the impact of motion sickness and ultimately promote the uptake of self-driving cars. Attention is also given to less well known consequences of motion sickness, in particular negative aftereffects such as postural instability, and detrimental effects on task performance and how this may impact the use and design of self-driving cars. We conclude that basic perceptual mechanisms need to be considered in the design process whereby self-driving cars cannot simply be thought of as living rooms, offices, or entertainment venues on wheels.

I Am The Passenger

“…This could lead to a greater variety of seating positions being utilized, with passengers in the rear more common, and seating becoming flexible and not necessarily front-oriented [20]. Consequently, a resurgence of interest in motion sickness treatments has been noted, specifically attributed to the use of displays in cars (termed nauseogenic visual displays [27]).…”

“…Consequently, a resurgence of interest in motion sickness treatments has been noted, specifically attributed to the use of displays in cars (termed nauseogenic visual displays [27]). Thus, whilst an autonomous vehicle might work to minimize motion sickness-inducing oscillations, the passengers may well undermine this effort by inducing motion sickness through their activities [20].…”

“…These problems will grow in number with the arrival of autonomous cars [20,19,71]; the act of driving stops many people from feeling sick due to the anticipatory cues of being the driver [75] and without these cues people who did not get sick will now do so. Consideration needs to be given to how entertainment and productivity can be supported whilst minimizing motion sickness.…”

“…seating locations and internal display configurations [20]), passengers will still perceive themselves as being in a constrained space, with the physical limitations of the interior dictating what is possible to be rendered and displayed. Moreover, the passenger's visual perception of motion may be compromised by use of these displays, through changes in gaze angle (e.g.…”

Simulating autonomous driving styles: Accelerations for three road profiles

“…The LRT systems could be used as guideline such that the ways the system accelerates and decelerates in longitudinal and lateral direction are within the acceptable level of comfort for the passengers. Activities such as drinking and eating without spilling, and working or playing with electronic devices without experiencing physical discomfort like motion sickness as has been predicted would happen in the future AV riding experience [9], [10]. These activities were made possible since the induced forces felt by the users inside the LRT were minimized.…”