Looking forward: In-vehicle auxiliary display positioning affects carsickness

• Published in: Applied ergonomics Vol. 68; pp. 169 - 175
• Main Authors: Kuiper, Ouren X., Bos, Jelte E., Diels, Cyriel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2018
• Subjects: Autonomous vehicles; Displays; Motion sickness; Motion sickness; Displays; Autonomous vehicles
• ISSN: 0003-6870; 1872-9126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2017.11.002

Carsickness is associated with a mismatch between actual and anticipated sensory signals. Occupants of automated vehicles, especially when using a display, are at higher risk of becoming carsick than drivers of conventional vehicles. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of positioning of in-vehicle displays, and subsequent available peripheral vision, on carsickness of passengers. We hypothesized that increased peripheral vision during display use would reduce carsickness. Seated in the front passenger seat 18 participants were driven a 15-min long slalom on two occasions while performing a continuous visual search-task. The display was positioned either at 1) eye-height in front of the windscreen, allowing peripheral view on the outside world, and 2) the height of the glove compartment, allowing only limited view on the outside world. Motion sickness was reported at 1-min intervals. Using a display at windscreen height resulted in less carsickness compared to a display at glove compartment height. •Display positioning in a moving vehicle is suggested to affect carsickness.•Under controlled conditions we examined display positioning effects on carsickness.•There was a significant beneficial effect of a display positioned at eye-height.•Attributed to increased out-the-window view, reducing visual-vestibular conflict.