Design and Validation of a Driver Guidance System to Alleviate Passenger Motion Sickness

Motion sickness (MS) remains a major issue in smart cabins when passengers conduct non-driving-related tasks. Previous research mostly addressed this issue from the passenger’s perspective (e.g., providing motion-state interfaces), while driver behavior, as an important MS source, was rarely regulated, despite association between aggressive driving and higher MS. We therefore proposed an interactive driver guidance system that provides real-time acceleration feedback and visual alert for MS-inducing maneuvers. In an on-road experiment with a within-subject design, 16 gender-balanced driver–passenger pairs completed a 30-minute urban route with and without the system. Passengers reported MS each minute using the Misery Scale (MISC). Although driving distance and Motion Sickness Dose Value did not differ, the system reduced acceleration over time and lowered the likelihood of mild or higher MS (MISC ≥ 2). These findings suggest that driver guidance can promote MS-friendly driving and delay symptom onset, thus improve ride comfort in trips.