Reducing Driver Distraction by Utilizing Augmented Reality Head-Up Display System for Rear Passengers

Wang, Shuxin; Charissis, Vassilis; Lagoo, Ramesh; Campbell, Julie; Harrison, David K. · 2019 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1109/icce.2019.8661927

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Summary

This paper addresses the problem of driver distraction caused by rear-seat passengers, particularly children, during long-distance travel. The authors argue that idle or frustrated passengers often demand the driver’s attention, leading to hazardous glances away from the road or physical checks of the rear seats. While existing solutions like tablets or books are limited by battery life, connectivity, or motion sickness, this study proposes a novel Augmented Reality (AR) Head-Up Display (HUD) system projected onto the side car windows. The system aims to keep passengers engaged through infotainment and educational content superimposed on external landmarks, thereby reducing the need for driver interaction. The system design utilizes off-the-shelf hardware, including a short-throw projector mounted on the vehicle ceiling, a polymer combiner on the window, and a computing unit linked to GPS. Initial interface designs using Leap Motion gesture control were abandoned due to user fatigue and complexity; instead, the final system employs a standard Xbox controller for ease of use. The software features a simplified, two-level menu accessible to users as young as three years old, offering categories for information, entertainment, and settings. The AR component blends gaming with real-world scenery to enhance immersion without isolating passengers in a purely virtual environment. Evaluation was conducted in a full-scale Virtual Reality Driving Simulator featuring a Mercedes A-Class in a CAVE environment. The study involved two phases: a usability survey with 50 users (40 parents and 10 children) and a performance trial with 10 families. In the performance trial, families drove a simulated 40-minute route with induced collision scenarios. One condition used traditional distractions (tablets, toys), while the other used the proposed AR-HUD. Results showed that 90% of collisions occurred when using traditional methods, whereas zero collisions occurred when the AR-HUD was used. Additionally, 90% of parents agreed the system effectively attracted children’s attention, and 75% found it non-distracting for the driver. The findings suggest that AR-HUD systems can significantly mitigate driver distraction by maintaining passenger engagement without requiring driver intervention. The high acceptance rates (85% of parents and 90% of children found the system attractive for everyday use) and the dramatic reduction in collision incidents highlight the potential of this technology to improve safety in family vehicles. The authors conclude that while the prototype demonstrates strong efficacy, future work should focus on refining the interface based on user feedback and conducting larger-scale studies to achieve statistical significance.

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• hud ar windshield
• visual

Information type

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• Applied Guidance: design guidelines
• Methodological Resource: tool software