The effects of social interactions with in-vehicle agents on a driver's anger level, driving performance, situation awareness, and perceived workload

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2015

Abstract

Research has suggested that interaction with an in-vehicle software agent can improve a driver's psychological state and increase road safety. The present study explored the possibility of using an in-vehicle software agent to mitigate effects of driver anger on driving behavior. After either anger or neutral mood induction, 60 undergraduates drove in a simulator with two types of agent intervention. Results showed that both speech-based agents not only enhance driver situation awareness and driving performance, but also reduce their anger level and perceived workload. Regression models show that a driver's anger influences driving performance measures, mediated by situation awareness. The practical implications include design guidelines for the design of social interaction with in-vehicle software agents.

Publisher's Statement

Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved. Publisher's version of record: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2015.03.015

Publication Title

Applied ergonomics

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