Are You Sitting Comfortably? How Current Self-driving Car Concepts Overlook Motion Sickness, and the Impact It Has on Comfort and Productivity

A proposed benefit of self-driving cars is that of increased comfort and productivity of the occupants. Self-driving vehicle concepts and published research show the desire for engagement in non-driving related tasks while traveling in such vehicles. Based on survey results and financial productivity estimations, it is likely that completing work activities within such vehicles will be desirable, even expected. These predictions, along with current concepts for self-driving vehicles, fail to consider motion sickness. This paper explores why motion sickness is likely to be a factor in these vehicles, and explicit implications with a range of in-car non-driving related activities is discussed. Through a critique of current concepts, a contrast between that which is advertised, and what may be possible is highlighted and discussed. The importance for inclusivity in future self-driving vehicles considering demographic differences in motion sickness susceptibility is highlighted, and design recommendations for future self-driving vehicles are made.