Title: A new approach to improve the vehicle ride comfort by electroencephalogram data

Authors: Yu-Kuan Chang; Jiun-Ren Hwang

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Central University, No. 300, Jhongda Rd., Jhongli City, Taoyuan County 32001, Taiwan. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Central University, No. 300, Jhongda Rd., Jhongli City, Taoyuan County 32001, Taiwan

Abstract: This study develops a new scheme for vehicle ride-comfort analysis based on electroencephalogram (EEG) data. Experiments were carried out using a test course with simultaneous recording of subjects' brainwaves. Subjects' answers to a sensory questionnaire were also analysed. The correlation between the brainwaves and sensory evaluation proved the feasibility of the application of EEG analysis to ride-comfort evaluation. Furthermore, the suspension parameters of the vehicle were modified based on the statistics obtained from the EEG analysis. Finally, by setting up a test model and designing an experiment on a real test course, the goal to improve the ride comfort was achieved.

Keywords: ride comfort; EEG; electroencephalograms; brainwaves; sensory evaluation; vehicle design; vehicle suspension; suspension parameters.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2011.044717

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2011 Vol.57 No.2/3, pp.106 - 123

Received: 20 Oct 2008
Accepted: 10 Jul 2009
Published online: 15 Apr 2015 *

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