Stanford Seminar - Wearing a VR Headset While Driving to Improve Vehicle Safety

Vehicle-in-the-Loop Platform

• A vehicle-in-the-loop platform was built around the X1 test vehicle, allowing researchers to test different vehicle dynamics configurations.
• X1, a four-wheel steer-by-wire vehicle, provides a realistic and practical platform for testing shared control systems.
• Low friction emulation and high-speed emulation can be used to simulate different driving conditions.

Shared Control System

• A receding horizon shared control system was developed and tested in various conditions, including low-friction and high-speed scenarios.
• The shared control system helps drivers stay on the road, avoid collisions, and navigate difficult driving situations.
• The system can be scaled to simulate higher speeds, allowing for safe testing of dangerous scenarios.

Shared Autonomy

• Shared autonomy can prevent drivers from taking certain actions, but it can also feel restrictive.
• Haptic feedback on the steering wheel can improve the feel of shared control.
• Shared decision-making between drivers and systems is a complex problem that researchers are still working to solve.

Virtual Reality Headsets

• VR headsets can be useful for training drivers in extreme situations, but they are not suitable for everyday use.