Influence of kinesthetic and immersive parameters in driving simulators: Development of a scientific model to predict and design ecologically valid driving environments

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Due to innovative scientific findings in the area of kinesthetic and immersion, driving simulation environments could be improved and designed so that user studies in driving simulators can be experienced in the most realistic way as possible. In this research project, a scientific model will be developed which makes predictions about how driving simulation environments should be designed to generate ecologically valid data (=transferable and applicable to real (driving) situations) in driving simulators. The innovation content of this research approach provides the basis for a new validation process that could minimize the gap between simulator and real car driving studies. In addition to the scientific benefit by developing a new scientific model in the context of immersive driving environments, the industry would benefit from this research project, too. The hereby developed knowledge base in form of a software tool, which is based on the scientific model, could support industry by resource-efficient evaluation within immersive driving simulators (compared to more expensive field studies). Furthermore, society would also benefit from valid test environments for driver assistance systems. By developing and evaluating reliable in-car systems, accidents could be reduced and customer satisfaction increased. In order to achieve the overall objective of generating ecologically valid data in driving simulators by implementing immersive parameters, there are three project objectives to be considered: 1. Scientific knowledge about the influence of kinesthetic parameters in the driving simulator on humans by a simulator study will be achieved. Thus, four experimental groups (0%, 40%, 70%, 100% relation to reality at an acceleration) will be compared to each other. A scientific model will arise thereby. 2. Scientific knowledge about the influence of a high immersive driving simulation environment (= an overall system consisting of kinesthetic, stereoscopic, acoustic parameters) compared to a real driving environment will be achieved. Thus, two experimental groups (low immersive vs. high immersive environment) will be compared by a simulator study. The scientific model will be amplified and finalized. 3. Development of a usable and easily accessible knowledge base in the form of a software application, which is developed by integrating the scientific model as framework. From the empirical data of the driving simulator studies 1 (kinesthetic) and 2 (overall system) general valid design guidelines for driving simulation environments can be derived. By an additional study realized with the scientific cooperation partners (FKFS, TU Dresden) the model will be validated.