A pioneering team within Jaguar Land Rover claims to have identified techniques that reduce the effects of feeling car sick by up to 60 per cent. Accumulating more than 15,000 miles of motion sickness data, including testing occupants as they perform tasks like reading emails, researchers have created an algorithm that gives each passenger a ‘wellness score’.
JLR WANTS TO STOP YOU BEING CAR SICK
Using biometric and motion sensors, this score calculates how likely the driver and individual passengers are to feel car sick, before they’re even aware of it. This data is then used by the vehicle to adapt its driving dynamics and cabin settings to help alleviate the symptoms of sickness. It is typically caused when your eyes process information that’s different to the motions detected by the inner ear, which is why passengers in a car are much more susceptible than the person in control.
Not only is motion sickness a common issue, especially for parents, Jaguar Land Rover’s interest in finding a solution is bolstered by a march towards self-driving cars. “As we move towards an autonomous future where occupants will have more time to either work, read or relax on longer journeys, it’s important we develop vehicles that can adapt to reduce the effects of motion sickness in a way that’s tailored to each passenger” said Spencer Salter, wellness technology researcher. Some effective steps the team have already identified include keeping the cabin cool, and ensuring passengers have raised seats with a good view out. High-set infotainment screens and active suspension that reduces low frequency motion have also been found to reduce motion sickness.
