TNO Launches Motion Comfort Institute for Automated Vehicles

TNO has launched the Motion Comfort Institute to tackle the issue of motion sickness in automated vehicles, announced in a press release. As automated vehicles transition from test tracks to public roads, the challenge of motion sickness becomes more pressing, potentially affecting up to 60% of passengers.

The Motion Comfort Institute combines TNO's extensive research in human factors and automotive applications to understand and mitigate motion sickness. The institute utilizes advanced facilities, including the Desdemona simulator, to study motion-induced discomfort and develop solutions such as motion cueing, active suspension, and AI-powered route optimization.

TNO's research aims to enable future vehicles to detect and respond to passenger discomfort without direct input, using non-contact methods like visual and thermal sensors. This initiative is expected to influence automotive design within the next five years, ensuring more comfortable journeys in automated vehicles.