Deployment of Preemption based Motion Sickness Prevention Technology on a Testbed Vehicle in Mcity
Principal Investigator(s):
Shorya Awtar, Professor of Mechanical Engineering – University of Michigan
Bernard Martin, Associate Professor of Industrial and Operations Engineering – University of Michigan
Project Abstract:
Phase I: The objective of this integrative research project is to develop an experimental vehicle testbed for motion sickness prevention solutions that employ preemptive interventions in autonomous vehicles. The vehicle testbed and associated passenger and vehicle instrumentation will be used for a Proof of Principle demonstration of a novel motion sickness prevention solution (PREACT) in Phase II. In Phase I, several key components of the proposed PREACT technology will be developed, including a vehicle testbed comprising various mechatronic modules for preemption; instrumentation to measure the states of the vehicle and the passenger; triggering algorithms necessary to preemptively actuate the mechatronic modules; an Mcity path that emulates city and highway driving; and, an IRB approved human subject testing protocol.
Phase II: The objective of this project is to deploy the PREACT motion sickness prevention technology on a custom-designed vehicle testbed in Mcity, and experimentally demonstrate its efficacy under realistic driving conditions with human subjects. The PREACT technology employs prediction algorithms to anticipate impending inertial events associated with driving and makes preemptive interventions before the inertial events actually happen, thereby averting motion sickness. This project aims to bring together and integrate the key components (previously developed in Phase I) to demonstrate a Proof of Principle of the PREACT technology, for one set of experimental conditions.
By mitigating motion sickness and enhancing comfort and productivity for passengers, the PREACT technology will help overcome a major practical impediment in the adoption of Autonomous Vehicles by society. This, in turn, will usher in the numerous benefits of AVs – fewer road accidents and fatalities, reduced traffic congestion, lower energy consumption and environmental footprint, reclaimed productivity for passengers, and equitable access to transportation.
Institution(s): University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Award Year: 2020
Research Thrust(s): Enabling Technology, Human Factors
Project Form(s):