The control elements in motor vehicles must be designed as far as possible to save the operator from physiological strain and fatigue while the car is being driven. The risk of muscle strain arises primarily during operations which last only a short time, but which nonetheless require much physical exertion. Signs of fatigue, on the other hand, generally occur in connection with driving activity which demands comparatively little physical effort but does so monotonously and continually. There are many open questions at present on known means of registering the strain in such cases. This paper describes an approach involving interdisciplinary methodology which has the potential to contribute new findings and development tools of benefit to the designing of human-machine interfaces. The methodology captures the major parameters affecting physiological strain on drivers at the wheel. The braking process is the example here investigated. One element is an analysis of the interface parameters in the car itself. Test vehicles were equipped with fully active servo-hydraulic actuators to produce the pedal and braking features in their many variations. The second main focus of the investigations was to achieve measurability of the demands placed on the driver with the EMG (surface electromyography) as method. In the present instance, the different muscles and groups of muscles in the lower and upper extremities and in the trunk were subjected to EMG while test drivers were applying the footbrake under various conditions. It is shown that these muscles are involved in how the driver controls the act of braking, and the investigation covers a number of parameters.
A novel method for objectifying the physiological stress of the car driver while braking
2008
13 Seiten, 16 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 10 Quellen
Conference paper
English
A novel method for objectifying the physiological stress of the car driver while braking
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