Benefits of Extended Multisensory Space During Automated Driving

With rapid advances in automated driving technology, safe methods for transition between automated and manual driving are still being investigated. Research has shown that using hand-held tools can lead to an extension of peripersonal space – the space immediately surrounding the body. Furthermore, interoceptive physiological inputs, coupled with visual feedback can modulate bodily self-consciousness and thus lead to changes in participants’ peripersonal space. An extension of drivers’ peripersonal space around the car could thus lead to improved takeover performance when confronted with a takeover request in a simulated Level 3 automated vehicle. Therefore, we hypothesised that synchronisation of ambient lighting inside a car with participants breathing would lead to faster reaction times and a smaller lateral displacement when a takeover request is issued. We did not find any strong enough evidence to support our hypotheses. However, we think that a multidisciplinary approach to Human-Vehicle Interaction is needed to ensure safe takeover methods when drivers are confronted with a takeover request in a Level 3 automated vehicle.