Application of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation for the Evaluation of Vehicle Settings in a Fixed-Base Simulator

Abstract

Driving simulation is a well probed and accepted technology for virtual development in automotive engineering. In the usual driving task visual perception is the most important factor. However, for the evaluation of vehicle settings in the field of driving dynamics it is essential, not only to generate realistic visual, but also vestibular cues for the driver. Therefore, dynamic driving simulators are usually applied, though they are a costly investment.Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS) creates the impression of accelerations by influencing the human equilibrium organ. In flight and driving simulation successful implementations of GVS systems already exist, mainly with the focus on reducing simulator sickness or to improve driver’s adaption to the simulator.Here, a concept for linking a GVS system with a fixed-base driving simulator is introduced. First, the adaption of the GVS system to individual preferences is conducted. In a second step, the evaluation in terms of objective driving behavior and subjective survey data is investigated to describe the influence of the GVS induced acceleration perception. Experiments are run for the driver as well as the passenger role. As a result the experiment should prove, whether the user is enabled to differentiate between various vehicle settings in the field of driving dynamics, as it would be possible in a dynamic driving simulator.