Showing papers by "Andras Kemeny published in 2017"

Transition of control in a partially automated vehicle: Effects of anticipation and non-driving-related task involvement

Abstract: Vehicle automation is expected to improve traffic safety. However, previous research indicates that high levels of automation may bring about unintended consequences, specifically in relation to being out of the control loop of the vehicle, such as reduced monitoring of the task, situation awareness, and attention. These changes in driver behavior become especially important in the case of a manual takeover request by the vehicle. A driving simulator study was carried out to investigate the effect of anticipatory information and non-driving-related task involvement on drivers’ monitoring behavior and transition of control while driving with a Traffic Jam Assist. The traffic jam assist handled lateral and longitudinal control at speeds below 50 km/h on a highway and required drivers to resume control beyond this system boundary. Anticipation was tested by sending a takeover request to the driver at 50 km/h (i.e. [anticipated] system boundary) or at 30 km/h (i.e. [unanticipated] system failure) and by traffic density preceding the takeover request, depending on the experimental condition. The results showed that the anticipatory information from the automated system influenced the monitoring behavior of the drivers preceding the transition of control, but not their performance during the takeover of control from the vehicle. Furthermore, despite relatively short reaction time to take over control of the vehicle, drivers needed a prolonged period to gain vehicle lateral control, regardless of the presence of anticipatory information or of a non-driving-related task. Performing a non-driving-related task resulted in a longer reaction time. Nevertheless, non-driving-related task involvement did not have an effect on the vehicle lateral control or monitoring of the traffic environment. The results of this study highlight the importance of a transition period rather than pure reaction time during a takeover process. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

New VR Navigation Techniques to Reduce Cybersickness

Abstract: In nowadays state of the art VR environments, displayed in CAVEs or HMDs, navigation technics may frequently induce cybersickness or VR-Induced Symptoms and Effects (VRISE), drastically limiting the friendly use of VR environments with no navigation limitations. In two distinct experiments, we investigated acceleration VRISE thresholds for longitudinal and rotational motions and compared 3 different VR systems: 2 CAVEs and a HMD (Oculus Rift DK2). We found that VRISE occur more often and more strongly in case of rotational motions and found no major difference between the CAVEs and the HMD. Based on the obtained thresholds we developed a new "Head Lock" navigation method for rotational motions in a virtual environment in order to generate a “Pseudo AR” mode, keeping fixed visual outside world references. Thanks to a third experiment we have shown that this new metaphor significantly reduces VRISE occurrences and may be a useful base for future natural navigation technics.

Learning eco-driving behaviour in a driving simulator: Contribution of instructional videos and interactive guidance system

Abstract: The present paper deals with how to design and test an eco-driving training tool in the form of a digital educational game, including a specific guidance system interface to each eco-driving rules. We tested whether learners could reproduce the eco-driving behaviour and implement the rules once they were autonomous. We also aimed to validate the method as a relevant eco-driving teaching tool that does not distract drivers or affect safety behaviour. We examined the contribution of the guidance system to teach procedural skills compared with traditional teaching methods such as video instruction. Results reveal that both methods lead to reduced CO2 emissions, but that the reduction is greater with the interactive guidance system. Further analysis and an eye-movement study revealed no increase in driving time or effect on safety.

Model of realism score for immersive VR systems

Abstract: A model of a realism score for immersive virtual reality and driving simulators is presented. First, we give an outlook of the different definitions of what “realism” is and the different approaches that exist in the literature to objectively quantify it. Then, we present the method, the theoretical development of the score and the results proposed. This realism score system aims to objectively quantify the characteristics of the visual perception happening for a perfect (non-altered vision) observer when experiencing an immersive VR system, as compared to the human visual system in a real (non-VR) situation. It addresses not only the visual perception but also the immersivity of the experience. The approach is different from the signal detection theory and the quantum efficiency theory that both rely on probabilities computation. It is made of several items, graded between 0 and 100, and divided in two sections: vision cues and immersion cues. These items represent, and are based on, the different skills of the human visual system. Realism score could be used as a helping tool in many applications such as objectively grading the performance of a VR system, defining the specifications of a new display, or choosing a simulator between several others available for a given experiment.

Tilt thresholds for acceleration rendering in driving simulation

Abstract: The tilt coordination technique is used in driving simulation for reproducing a sustained linear horizontal acceleration by tilting the simulator cabin. If combined with the translation motion of t...

Multi-view VR system for co-located multidisciplinary collaboration and its application in ergonomic design

Abstract: In co-located collaborative environment for product design, new groupware of multi-view system allows multiple experts to have individual visual information. A co-located multi-view VR system and a multidisciplinary task have been created and studied. Results show that using multi-view VR system achieves a better effectiveness and user performance. Then, an application for collaborative ergonomic design is explored and an industrial multidisciplinary scenario is realized with proposed system.

Artificial Potential Field Simulation Framework for Semi-Autonomous Car Conception

Abstract: Artificial potential field is investigated to provide a high level of synergy between driver and semi-autonomous vehicle. This article presents a framework developed to test the performances of this approach. Stand-alone performances of this system is tested for a lane keeping and cruise control application. Performances are promising and future development is discussed.

Dealing with the right of way in advanced traffic simulation. A characterization of drivers' behaviours in a multi-agent approach

Abstract: With the emergence of ADAS and autonomous vehicle, the need of simulation software to test advanced systems and models is unavoidable. The objective of this work is to characterize, in a multi-agent approach, the traffic vehicles behaviours, and to model them in a versatile traffic simulator, serving as a testing tool for integration in the traffic module of the SCANeR Studio T M simulation software. The algorithm will bring more natural interactions between vehicles in simulation and allow the emergence of new relevant situations for autonomous vehicles, observable in real, such as collision risk situations or even accidents, which have for now to be scripted in scenarios and do not occur naturally.