Virtual representation of driver behavior and sitting posture: An investigation on sitting postures and motion patterns during dynamic driving

Abstract

With the development within computer technology, virtual representation of human models has become a viable tool in ergonomics to simulate and evaluate driving postures and behaviors. It has also become more important since new products are designed and produced in a short time frame, which requires efficient software design tools. One such software is IPS IMMA, developed by researchers at Högskolan i Skövde and Fraunhofer Chalmers. In the future versions of the software, the vision is to be able to simulate automated scenarios of the driver’s motion sequence and behavior in different traffic situation. This allows for cost effective simulations and tests in early design phases and improve ergonomic evaluations. However, there is a need to better understand how dynamic situations affect the driver. This master’s thesis investigates if there are any differences and similarities in sitting postures and motion patterns among drivers in different driving situations, with the aim to suggest generalized driving behaviors that should be considered for the future development of the IPS IMMA software. The work has been performed in collaboration with Volvo Cars and the research project ADOPTIVE. An experimental, qualitative driver study was conducted with 12 test subjects in a Volvo XC60 car. The dynamic driver study investigated three different situations: city, highway, and highway using Adaptive Cruise Control. Objective and subjective data was collected by video recordings, Xsens motion capture system, and a questionnaire. The objective data was analyzed mainly through annotation in the video recordings. From the results it could be concluded that it was possible to generalize sitting postures and body motion patterns for the different situations. In general, the sitting posture and motion pattern overlapped for the three driving situations. Significant differences in movements were identified in the city and Adaptive Cruise Control situation. For the city situation, there was a higher frequency of arm and hand movements, and the upper body was leaning forward in certain events, whereas for Adaptive Cruise Control it was the right foot’s variety in positions, and the use of both armrests. The finding was formulated into a requirement list, suggesting future implementations in IPS IMMA.