Enhancing an Autonomous Vehicle Simulation Through Holoride Technology Integration to Reduce Motion Sickness and Increase Immersion: A Proof of Concept and Empirical Evaluation

Walker, Zack; Kuhn, Korbinian; Gerlicher, Ansgar; Braun, Axel · 2025 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-88831-1_19

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Summary

This paper addresses the limitations of stationary Virtual Reality (VR) simulations used for evaluating autonomous vehicle (AV) concepts, specifically regarding low immersion and the prevalence of motion sickness. As AV technology advances, rigorous user-centered testing is required, yet static simulators fail to replicate the dynamic movements, vibrations, and gravitational forces of real vehicles. To mitigate these issues, the authors propose integrating Holoride technology, which synchronizes VR content with real-time vehicle sensor data and OpenStreetMap information to create a dynamic simulation that mimics actual driving conditions. The study aims to determine if this dynamic approach reduces motion sickness and increases perceived immersion compared to a static VR setup. The researchers conducted an empirical evaluation using a mixed-methods, within-subject design with 18 participants. Each participant experienced two scenarios: a static simulation where they sat in a stationary module viewing a VR ride, and a dynamic simulation where they rode in a physical vehicle while wearing a VR headset that reacted to the car’s real-time movements. Motion sickness was assessed using the Motion Sickness Severity Scale (MSSS) and the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire (MSSQ). Immersion was measured via the Igroup Presence Questionnaire (IPQ), and overall user experience was evaluated using the Short User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ-S). Qualitative data was also collected through think-aloud protocols and post-test interviews to understand participant preferences and perceived realism. The results indicated that the dynamic simulation did not significantly reduce motion sickness compared to the static version; severity scores were statistically similar, and symptoms occurred in both conditions. The authors attribute this failure to technical inaccuracies in the Holoride implementation, such as discrepancies between virtual and physical road surfaces (e.g., missing bumps or potholes) and a lack of visual context for vehicle maneuvers like turns or stops. However, the dynamic simulation significantly improved perceived immersion, particularly in the categories of spatial presence and realism. Furthermore, user experience ratings were higher for the dynamic condition, with hedonic quality rated as "Excellent" compared to "Good" for the static simulation. Qualitively, 14 of 18 participants preferred the dynamic simulation, citing its realism and excitement, despite some experiencing motion sickness. The study concludes that while Holoride integration enhances immersion and user experience in AV simulations, it does not currently mitigate motion sickness due to fidelity gaps between the virtual environment and physical vehicle dynamics. The findings suggest that future iterations must incorporate more precise environmental data, such as LiDAR and camera inputs, to accurately represent road conditions and traffic context. This research highlights the potential of dynamic VR for realistic AV testing while identifying critical technical improvements needed to resolve sensory conflicts that cause motion sickness.

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Topics

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• simulator sickness