Driver behavior in mixed and virtual reality – A comparative study

Blissing, Björn; Bruzelius, Fredrik; Eriksson, Olle · 2019 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2017.08.005

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Summary

This study investigates driver behavior across mixed reality (MR), virtual reality (VR), and real-world driving conditions to evaluate the viability of head-mounted displays (HMDs) as complements to traditional driving simulators. The research addresses the limitations of simulator validity, particularly regarding motion feedback, by testing whether drivers can perform tasks effectively while wearing an HMD. The primary objectives were to determine how driving behavior changes when wearing an HMD compared to direct view, and to compare behavioral differences between video see-through (VST) MR and opaque VR modes. The methodology involved 22 participants driving a Volvo V70 through a slalom course under four conditions: direct view (DV), VST showing real cones, VST with superimposed virtual cones, and fully opaque VR. The study utilized a within-subject design to minimize individual variability. Data were collected using a GPS and inertial measurement unit to quantify longitudinal behavior (time to completion, acceleration changes) and lateral behavior (maximum curvature, lateral deviation). Participants also provided subjective ratings of task difficulty and performance. The HMD setup, based on an Oculus Rift DK2 with attached cameras, introduced specific technical constraints, including a total latency of approximately 100 ms for the MR system and a reduced field of view compared to the native HMD specifications. Results indicated that wearing an HMD significantly affected all measured driving variables compared to direct view. Average speed was the most significant differentiator between MR and VR modes, with participants driving slower in VST-MR conditions. Steering behavior, measured by maximum curvature and lateral deviation, remained consistent across the different VR modes, suggesting that lateral control was not heavily impacted by the type of visual immersion. However, time to completion and acceleration changes varied significantly, with VST-MR resulting in the longest completion times and highest acceleration changes, indicating greater caution or discomfort. One participant aborted the study due to motion sickness, and data from three others were excluded due to GPS signal issues. Subjective assessments aligned with objective data, showing higher perceived difficulty for the VST-MR condition. The study concludes that while HMDs alter driving behavior—primarily by reducing speed and increasing caution—drivers are generally capable of completing driving tasks successfully. The consistency in steering behavior across modes suggests that VR and MR can serve as valid tools for driver-vehicle interaction studies, particularly where realistic motion feedback is required. However, the findings highlight the impact of latency and field-of-view limitations on driver comfort and performance, suggesting that technical improvements in registration accuracy and latency reduction are necessary to fully mitigate behavioral deviations.

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Topics

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• simulator validity fidelity
• simulator sickness
• hud ar windshield

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: behavioral performance data
• Methodological Resource: tool software, validation psychometrics