Without a driver but not without consequences. Self-driving cars risk exploding the number of people suffering from motion sickness, according to an American study.
It may save you from having to pass the license, but the autonomous car does not only have advantages. This driverless vehicle may promote motion sickness, according to researchers at the University of Michigan (United States). Many people would practice during the trip other activities, conducive to nausea.
Books, films, video games
“Motion sickness is more likely to be a problem in autonomous vehicles than in conventional ones,” comments lead researcher Michael Sivak. To reach these conclusions, he interviewed 3,200 people from 6 countries (United States, India, China, Japan, Great Britain, Australia) on the activities they would practice to replace driving.
If the majority of travelers would continue to watch the road – 60% in the United States – a good portion would take the trip to do something else. In India, half of those polled say they would read, text or watch movies. A quarter to a third of the Japanese, the British and the Australians are also said to practice these activities.
3 million French people affected
But to look away from the road is to expose yourself to motion sickness. One in three people is affected at least once in their life. “The three main factors – the conflict between vestibular and visual signals, the inability to anticipate the direction of movement and the lack of control of the movement – are higher in a self-driving car,” explains Michael Sivak. However, the frequency and severity of symptoms are influenced by the activity performed instead of driving. “
If they had self-driving cars, 6 to 12% of Americans would suffer from moderate or severe motion sickness. An estimate that applies to other nationalities. Currently, it is estimated that in France, 3 million people are chronically affected.
Fortunately, American researchers are suggesting ways to reduce the risk of motion sickness. Self-driving cars should offer a wider field of vision, thanks to large transparent windows. If videos are being projected, it is better if they are displayed transparently and in the direction of the road. The swivel seats, they must be purely and simply eliminated, but be able to recline completely.
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