Investigative examination of motion sickness indicators for electric vehicles

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) pose a heightened risk of inducing motion sickness in passengers compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. With the increasing prevalence of EVs, there is a pressing need for in-depth research on motion sickness in this specific context. To quantitatively assess motion sickness severity in electric vehicle occupants, this study meticulously selected 25 participants exhibiting a high susceptibility to motion sickness for experimental testing. The research endeavors to elucidate the intricate relationship between motion sickness assessment values, electrodermal activity (EDA) signals, and vehicle state signals during motion sickness episodes. Utilizing correlation analysis to scrutinize the interrelation between electrodermal signals and the severity of motion sickness, we advocate employing the mean and variation rate of EDA as objective metrics for characterizing the extent of motion sickness. Furthermore, we introduce the definition of cumulative seat rail vibration acceleration (CVA) as an integral component of this evaluation. Through meticulous correlation analysis, it is ascertained that the change rates of longitudinal vibration cumulative value (CVAx) and EDA exhibit robust correlations, signifying their significance in relation to motion sickness severity. This research not only establishes a theoretical foundation for quantifying motion sickness in electric vehicle occupants but also contributes profound insights into the underlying mechanisms of motion sickness in the context of electric vehicles.