The effects of a force feedback enabled secondary task on driver performance on a simulated lane change task

Abstract

Distracted driving can be dangerous and new technology is being implemented into vehicles that will likely increase the amount of distraction present. New input device technology has made it possible to use force feedback to aid in task completion which may help reduce the cognitive load of secondary tasks. In the present study, participants performed a simulated lane change task while simultaneously completing a target selection task. Participants used the Novint Falcon input device which is capable of applying guiding force feedback. Two levels of two different force feedback models were used on the secondary task as well as a no force feedback baseline. Results indicated that when force feedback was enabled on the secondary task and at its highest magnitude, driving performance was better than when no force feedback was enabled. Additionally, secondary task performance was consistent with previous single-task force feedback research.