Virtual Reality Driving Simulator Based on Head-Mounted Displays

This chapter presents the development of an innovative and interactive 3D virtual reality driving simulator based on head-mounted displays, which gives the driver a near-realistic driving experience for the development and evaluation of future automotive HMI concepts. The project explores the potentials and implementation of virtual reality in the automotive sector for the analysis of new HMI concepts and safety functions in the automotive sector. Special emphasis is laid on hazardous situations which are ethically not possible to evaluate on a real road at the early stage of the concept, when the risk involved for both the driver and the prototype, for example driver distraction and autonomous vehicle studies is not yet ascertained. The 3D virtual reality approach was meant to overcome some of the limitations of conventional 3D driving simulators, such as lack of total immersion and intuitive reaction of the test driver, necessary for an effective analysis of a particular driving situation. The sense of presence offered by virtual reality is essential for the research and evaluation of safety functions, since appropriate and reliable solutions are only possible when the problem associated with a particular traffic situation is well understood. The focus was on the following aspects: 3D modeling, correct simulation of vehicle and traffic models, and integration of a motion platform to give the feel of a real car and control devices and finally, head-up display use cases. Finally, the solutions to eliminate simulation sickness were reviewed and implemented. A prototype was developed which displays dynamic head-up-display features.