Article: Intuitive and subtle motion-anticipatory auditory cues reduce motion sickness in self-driving cars Journal: International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics (IJHFE) 2021 Vol.8 No.4 pp.370 - 392 Abstract: Motion sickness may be a factor detrimental to the experience of self-driving cars. This study investigates whether auditory displays can support in lowering passengers' feeling of motion sickness by allowing them to anticipate upcoming manoeuvres. Twenty participants took part in the study and rode on a specially designed test track with and without auditory display while performing a reading task. The display provided information about upcoming car manoeuvres, which were identified as being motion sickness inducing and the sounds were designed to resemble the actual sound of the manoeuvres taking place. Sounds representing acceleration, deceleration and left and right turns were played slightly in advance of the upcoming manoeuvre. Participants rated their motion sickness at regular intervals during the ride as well as before and after the ride. The results showed that illness ratings in the auditory display condition were statistically lower significantly compared to the condition without sound. The sounds were also judged as intuitive and helpful by the users who reported willingness to use them when riding autonomous cars in the future, especially while reading or working. These results have implications for the interaction design of self-driving cars and can guide future auditory display research. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Intuitive and subtle motion-anticipatory auditory cues reduce motion sickness in self-driving cars

Authors: Justyna Maculewicz; Pontus Larsson; Johan Fagerlönn

Addresses: Volvo Car Group, Gunnar Engellaus väg 19, Göteborg, SE-405 31, Sweden ' Volvo Car Group, Gunnar Engellaus väg 19, Göteborg, SE-405 31, Sweden ' RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Kunskapsallén 14, Piteå, SE-941 63, Sweden

Abstract: Motion sickness may be a factor detrimental to the experience of self-driving cars. This study investigates whether auditory displays can support in lowering passengers' feeling of motion sickness by allowing them to anticipate upcoming manoeuvres. Twenty participants took part in the study and rode on a specially designed test track with and without auditory display while performing a reading task. The display provided information about upcoming car manoeuvres, which were identified as being motion sickness inducing and the sounds were designed to resemble the actual sound of the manoeuvres taking place. Sounds representing acceleration, deceleration and left and right turns were played slightly in advance of the upcoming manoeuvre. Participants rated their motion sickness at regular intervals during the ride as well as before and after the ride. The results showed that illness ratings in the auditory display condition were statistically lower significantly compared to the condition without sound. The sounds were also judged as intuitive and helpful by the users who reported willingness to use them when riding autonomous cars in the future, especially while reading or working. These results have implications for the interaction design of self-driving cars and can guide future auditory display research.

Keywords: motion sickness; sonification; autonomous drive; autonomous car; car intention; car perception; self-driving vehicles; auditory display; interaction design; auditory display guidelines; experiment; automation technology; user acceptance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2021.119053

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2021 Vol.8 No.4, pp.370 - 392

Received: 26 Jan 2021
Accepted: 11 Jun 2021
Published online: 18 Nov 2021 *

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Title: Intuitive and subtle motion-anticipatory auditory cues reduce motion sickness in self-driving cars

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