Promoting eco-driving behavior through multisensory stimulation: a preliminary study on the use of visual and haptic feedback in a virtual reality driving simulator

Andrea Pietra,Alberto Gallace,Roberta Etzi,Monica Bordegoni,Marina Vazquez Rull,Francesco Ferrise,Giulia Wally Scurati

doi:10.1007/s10055-021-00499-1

Andrea Pietra, Alberto Gallace + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-021-00499-1

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Abstract

This paper describes the design and preliminary test of a virtual reality driving simulator capable of conveying haptic and visual messages to promote eco-sustainable driving behavior. The driving simulator was implemented through the Unity game engine; a large street environment, including high-speed and urban sections, was created to examine different driving behaviors. The hardware setup included a gaming driving seat, equipped with a steering wheel and pedals; the virtual scenarios were displayed through an Oculus Rift headset to guarantee an immersive experience. Haptic stimulation (i.e., vibrations) was delivered to the driver through the accelerator pedal, while visual stimuli (i.e., icons and colors) were shown on a virtual head-up display. The sensory feedbacks were presented both alone and in combination, providing information about excessive acceleration and speed. Four different virtual scenarios, each one including a distracting element (i.e., navigator, rain, call, and traffic), were also created. Ten participants tested the simulator. Fuel consumption was evaluated by calculating a mean power index (MPI) in reference to the sensory feedback presentation; physiological reactions and responses to a usability survey were also collected. The results revealed that the haptic and visuo-haptic feedback were responsible for an MPI reduction, respectively, for 14% and 11% compared with a condition of no feedback presentation; while visual feedback alone resulted in an MPI increase of 11%. The efficacy of haptic feedback was also accompanied by a more relaxing physiological state of the users, compared with the visual stimulation. The system’s usability was adequate, although haptic stimuli were rated slightly more intrusive than the visual ones. Overall, these preliminary results highlight how promising the use of the haptic channel can be in communicating and guiding the driver toward a more eco-sustainable behavior.

Highlights

As widely acknowledged by several international scientists, the Earth is facing a historical period of dramatic climate change (e.g., Cook et al 2016)
The study results showed that the haptic feedback induced a better use of the throttle, with the additional advantage of reducing the subjective workload compared with when testers were only asked to drive economically
The combination of visual and haptic feedback led to a reduction of 11%, compared with the baseline

Summary

Introduction

As widely acknowledged by several international scientists, the Earth is facing a historical period of dramatic climate change (e.g., Cook et al 2016). Nations have come together to fix targets to be reached in the years in terms of greenhouse gasses emission (United Nations Environment Programme—Emissions gap report 2018). Many are the sectors (energy, buildings, industry, land-use) contributing to the overall phenomenon and, among them, the transport sector plays an important role, accounting for 23% of the total C O2 emissions in 2010 (Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change). A widespread measure consists of introducing increasingly strict regulations oriented at avoiding the circulation of the most polluting cars. Another possible way of cutting the private road transport sector’s emissions consists of modifying the way people behave when driving

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