A Study on the Utilization of Virtual Reality in the Development of Automotive Visibility Performance
-A Comparative Study of Virtual Reality Evaluations and Actual Vehicle Evaluations-

Kazumasa Onda･Takuma Yamazaki･Yukihiro Takatsu･Hidenori Horita (Suzuki Motor)

In recent years, the use of virtual reality (VR) in automotive development has been on the rise.　Although VR is expected to be compatible with the evaluation of visibility performance, which relies heavily on drivers' subjective perceptions, there are reports suggesting that these perceptions may differ between VR and real-world contexts. Therefore, we conducted a comparative study in which general users assessed the same vehicle in both VR and real environments.

Brain Function Analysis in Vibration Compensation of HUD Virtual Image

Hikaru Kato (Niigata University)･Masaki Katagiri･Tadashige Makino･Naoyuki Shiraishi (NIPPON SEIKI)･Atsuhiko Iijima･Junichi Hori (Niigata University)

To compensate for the shake of a Head-Up Display (HUD) virtual image caused by vehicle vibrations, a vibration compensation function has been developed. The shake of the virtual image may cause discomfort to the driver. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of the vibration compensation function on the driver by electroencephalogram measurement. To evaluate the effectiveness of vibration compensation function, alpha and beta waves before and after driving were analyzed.

Eye Movement Analysis in Vibration Compensation of HUD Virtual Image

Maria Ono (Niigata University)･Masaki Katagiri･Tadashige Makino･Naoyuki Shiraishi (NIPPON SEIKI)･Junichi Hori･Atsuhiko Iijima (Niigata University)

To compensate for the shake of a Head-Up Display (HUD) virtual image caused by vehicle vibrations, a vibration compensation function has been developed. Vehicle vibrations also cause the driver's head movement, triggering a vestibulo-ocular reflex to stabilize gaze. In this study, eye movements were measured to evaluate the effectiveness of the vibration compensation function, and the time interval between vehicle vibrations and the vestibulo-ocular reflex was analyzed.

Quantitative Evaluation of AR-HUD Annoyance Using a Gaze Estimation AI model

Yucheng Zhang･Masataka Kato･Koichi Emura (Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.)･Eiji Watanabe (National Institutes of Natural Sciences, National Institute for Basic Biology)

Augmented Reality Head-Up Displays (AR-HUDs) are developed with the aim of reducing eye movements but may potentially cause annoyance to drivers depending on the displayed content. In this study, we propose a method to quantitatively evaluate this annoyance using an AI model that mimics human gaze. Experimental results (N=8) showed a 66.7% agreement with subjective evaluations, suggesting the potential to replace traditional subjective methods.

Vehicle behavior evaluation by vestibular surprise model

Keita Teshima･Daichi Sato･Hidekazu Ishii･Kazuhiro Takemura･Yoshihisa Okamoto･Hiroko Kajikawa･Masayuki Watanabe (Mazda)

To extend the model-based development from vehicles to diverse passengers, we have created a new human model for vehicle behavior evaluation based on the mechanisms of vestibular perception. The model includes an algorithm called "surprise" which we have used previously for field of views for drivers and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). We found that the model quantified the improvement of estimated susceptibility to motion sickness from Mazda's 6th to 7th generation product group. Furthermore, it could possibly explain vestibular phenomena, including the vulnerbility of children to motion sickness and the aging of balance sense in the elderly.

Concisely Measuring Cognitive Workload of the Interactive User Interface (Second report)

Hiroshi KISHI･Hirofumi AOKI (Nagoya University)

ISO17488 has been settled to measure cognitive workload when the driver uses interactive user interface. But this ISO contains two problems when we utilize it for HMI development. Those are degrees of facility of measuring, and detectivity of the light cognitive workload.
The modification to solve these problems and to complement this ISO is developed. The new measuring methods and the original ISO17488 are compared, and results are reported, in the context of measuring light cognitive workload .
Furthermore, consistency of the result when cognitive workload is measured repeatedly (the effect of habituation) is also reported.

A Study on the change of bio-signals under driver stress

Yoseob Lee･Baekhee Lee (Hyundai Motor)･Gwanseob Shin･Donghyun Song (UNIST)

This study examined the effects of automobile seat comfort functions heated system, ventilation, and massage on driver stress during highway driving. Bio-signals, including heart rate variability, skin conductance, and respiration rate, were measured using non-invasive sensors from 20 drivers under varying seat settings. Results showed that changes in seat functions were detected with over 60% accuracy through high-frequency power of heart rate variability, mean skin conductance level, and mean respiration rate. These findings suggest the potential for monitoring seat comfort using bio-signals. Further research is needed to enhance detection accuracy under diverse environmental and driver conditions.