System Immersion of a Driving Simulator Affects the Oscillatory Brain Activity

TL;DR

This study examines how the level of system immersion in a driving simulator influences drivers' brain activity, revealing significant effects in specific brain regions and frequency bands, which may impact physiological arousal and cognition.

Contribution

It provides novel insights into the neural effects of system immersion in driving simulators using EEG measurements during automated driving.

Findings

Significant effects in occipital and parietal areas in high-Beta band

No effects observed in Theta, Alpha, and low-Beta bands

Immersion influences physiological arousal and cognitive processes

Abstract

The technological properties of a system delivering simulation experience are a crucial dimension of immersion. To create a sense of presence and reproduce drivers behaviour as realistically as possible, we need reliable driving simulators that allow drivers to become highly immersed. This study investigates the impact of a system immersion of a driving simulator on the drivers' brain activity while operating a conditionally automated vehicle. Nineteen participants drove approximately 40 minutes while their brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography (EEG). We found a significant effect of the system immersion in the occipital and parietal areas, primarily in the high-Beta bandwidth. No effect was found in the Theta, Alpha, and low-Beta bandwidths. These findings suggest that the system immersion might influence the drivers' physiological arousal, consequently influencing their cognitive and emotional processes.