Mirage events & driver haptic steering alerts in a motion-base driving simulator: A method for selecting an optimal...

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Automotive Engineering
• Human Factors Psychology

Background:

• Driver alerting and warning systems are crucial for both manual and automated driving.
• Formative evaluation methods are needed to refine these systems before large-scale testing.
• Existing methods may involve risks like simulator sickness or surprise, complicating early-stage development.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce and validate a novel 'mirage scenario' for formative evaluation of driver displays.
• Assess the efficacy of a haptic steering display using this new method.
• Provide a framework for selecting designs for future summative evaluations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a motion-base driving simulator with 32 participants.
• Implemented the 'mirage scenario' presenting brief, removed driving contexts (e.g., varying Times-To-Collision).
• Evaluated a haptic steering display providing steering guidance cues.

Main Results:

• The mirage scenario successfully supported the evaluation of the haptic steering display.
• The method avoided surprise and collision avoidance maneuvers, mitigating risks.
• Participant ratings were collected and analyzed, including a Multi-Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT) approach.

Conclusions:

• The mirage scenario is a viable and safe method for the formative evaluation of driver alerting systems.
• This approach facilitates the assessment of specific display features like haptic feedback.
• The methodology aids in selecting optimal designs for subsequent summative evaluations.