Measurement of Test Driver Workload in Autonomous Driving
-Effects on Heart Rate and Autonomic Nervous System Indicators During Autonomous and Manual Driving-

Hiroshi Watanabe･Mitsuhiro Takahara (AutoTechnicJapan)･Keiji Jimi (Gunma University)

This study aims to evaluate the workload of test drivers during autonomous driving tests by measuring and comparing heart rate and autonomic nervous system indicators during both autonomous and manual driving. Experiments were conducted at Gunma University, and the results showed that changes in autonomic nervous system indicators were more pronounced during autonomous driving. Additionally, it was confirmed that respiratory activities such as yawning affected heart rate.

Non-Contact Sensing for Real-Time Estimation of Driver Arousal Level During Automated Driving

Hiroki Takeuchi (University of Occupational and Environmental Health)･Mieko Ohsuga･Yoshiyuki Kamakura (Osaka Institute of Technology)

Although automated driving technologies are advancing, the practical implementation of fully autonomous driving still requires time. Therefore, driver monitoring is necessary for the time being, and it is required to assess whether the driver can make appropriate decisions upon resuming manual control. This study aims to construct a real-time non-contact sensing system for the early detection of decreased arousal.

Assessment of human states using heart rate and heartrate variability indices
-Interpretation ofL F/HF index-

Mieko Ohsuga･Yoshiyuki Kamakura (Osaka Institute ofTechnokgy)･Shimpei Yamada･Hiroki Takeuchi (University of Occupational and Environmental Health)

Heartrate and heartrate variability indices, especially LF/HF, which are dimensionless numbers, are frequently used to assess states of drivers and occupants. However, the changes in these indices are complex and subject to misinterpretation due to the effects of inadequate measurement, respiration, speech, and posture and so on. This paper summarizes the considerations in the use of these indices and also discusses the problems of indices obtained from pulse wave data.

Estimation of Chronic Stress Using Pulse Waves and Facial Expression Features while Driving a Car

Masanari Murai･Rio Ishiguro･Kota Toyama (Chiba University)･Daisuke Negishi (Suzuki Motor)･Masato Takahashi･Norimichi Tsumura (Chiba University)

Chronic stress is a major factor that affects both mental and physical health, however its continuous assessment in natural settings remains challenging. This study aims to estimate chronic stress using pulse wave features and facial expressions collected during car driving. We conducted a driving simulator experiment and extracted physiological and facial features, which were then used to train a machine learning model for stress. The stress estimation results achieved a mean absolute error of 3.2. These findings suggest that collecting physiological signals while driving is a viable means of monitoring chronic stress in daily life.

Consideration of appropriate driving supports to achieve successful experiences in alleviating anxiety.

Yosuke Furuya･Yoshihisa Okamoto･Nanae Michida (Mazda)･Norihiro Sadato (Ritsumeikan University)

It is considered what kind of support is appropriate for drivers to achieve successful experiences in alleviating anxiety and transitioning to a positive emotional state through their own actions during high-anxiety driving situations. The effects of driving support, considered effective based on a psychological model, on both emotional and cognitive aspects were verified through experiments using a driving simulator.

Evaluation of Sleepiness by Leg Motion while Driving

Ryotaro Abe･Toshiyuki Shimizu (TS TECH)

This study examined the relationship between driver leg motions and sleepiness. As a result of analyzing the change in body pressure while driving a simulator, it was confirmed that the amount of motion of the left and right leg parts changed according to sleepiness. These results suggest the possibility of evaluating driver’s sleepiness based on changes in body pressure during driving by focusing on leg motions.

Research on Driver Arousal Maintenance Using Vibration Stimulation Based on Heart Rate

Ryuto Takahashi･Shuncong Shen･Toshiya Hirose (Shibaura Institute of Technology)･Kenichi Kamano･Tomoari Aiba･Toshiyuki Shimizu (TS TECH Co.,Ltd.)

In this study, we investigated the effect of vibration based on the driver's heart rate given from the driver's seat to prevent the driver from being hypo-aroused. Experiments were conducted using a driving simulator, and three vibration conditions were presented: 1.1 and 1.0 times of the heart rate, and no vibration. The driver’s arousal time was evaluated by driving maneuvers and facial expressions.. The results indicated that the driver's arousal time significantly extended by the vibration of 1.1 times of the heart rate.