Sensor-Actuator Supported Implicit Interaction in Driver Assistance Systems

The research trend in the automotive domain is clearly moving from mechanically controlled to computer assisted systems for both vehicle handling and comfort functions. Driver Assistance Systems (DAS), originally integrated to decrease the cognitive load and to increase the comfort for the driver, cause additional workload and stress for the driver, and as a consequence may distract from the main activity of driving and lead to traffic accidents.


Andreas Riener studies the influence of implicit interaction using vibro-tactile actuators, invisibly and unobtrusively embedded into the car seat, as additional sensory channels for car-driver feedback, and pressure sensor mats, integrated into the seat for implicit information transmission from the driver toward the vehicle. The results of the experiments, e.g. implicit driver identification or activity recognition, vibro-tactile activity notification, motivate to use both vibro-tactile notifications and pressure sensor images to improve vehicle handling performance and to decrease the driver’s cognitive workload.