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This paper introduces the AdRacer system for multifaceted testing and in-depth analyses of game effects and in-game advertising efficiency. AdRacer combines an immersive driving simulator, 3D game environment, recording of players’ gaze directions, and application of memory tests. A pilot study tested the effects of game violence on memory for brands shown as billboard ads in a racing game. In ...

Driving simulators are widely used in different applications: driver training, vehicle development, and medical studies. To fully exploit the potential of such devices, it is crucial to develop motion control strategies that generate realistic driving feelings. This has to be achieved while keeping the platform within its limited operation space. Such strategies are called motion cueing algorit...

This paper introduces CARS, an open source driving simulator tool for evaluating driver distraction. We present the map editor, the driving simulation tool and the analysis tool included in CARS. Based on initial results from initial user studies we illustrate the effectiveness of CARS in evaluating different secondary tasks (e.g., compare different UIs for navigation systems) with regard to dr...

Adequate hazard perception and safe driving behavior in complex traffic situations are prerequisites for efficient emergency vehicle driving. In this field of interest, simulator training can be a useful tool to prepare young drivers to cope with the demands of real traffic conditions. In a pilot project, driving simulation as part of a comprehensive driver training program was implemented by t...

This paper presents a design methodology for driving simulator scenarios in which autonomous and controlled surrounding vehicles are combined. The main motives are to achieve both a high realism and high reproducibility. The methodology is introduced using a theater metaphor in which a driving simulator scenario is defined as a constellation of: everyday life driving, preparations for plays, an...

This project involves the development of a model-based method for the evaluation of design concepts for In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVISs). The evaluation method is aimed specifically at assessing the usability of the Human Machine Interface (HMI) associated with these systems. It is aimed at the very early stages of design and is intended to provide designers with a quick and easy method o...

Classical washout algorithm for driving simulators doesn’t take into account the non-linearity of human sensory systems. Our previous work showed that the most realistic tilt/translation ratio for the simulation of braking during passive driving depends on the level of deceleration. However, the interpretation of previous results cannot be extended to acceleration. Therefore, a new experiment w...

Motion platforms can be used to provide vestibular cues in a driving simulator, and have been shown to reduce driving speed and acceleration. However, motion platforms are expensive devices, and alternatives for providing motion cues need to be investigated. In independent experiments, the following eight low-cost nonvestibular motion cueing systems were tested by comparing driver performance t...

In order to foster situated learning in a virtual community of practice, we developed a multi-user, real-time, 3D car-driving simulation environment. In such a situation-based learning environment, the availability of enough appropriate learning situations is crucial for success. However, we experienced that often a collaborative usage of the system does not result in a large number of these cr...