Head and eye movements for recognizing visual object while driving automobile

Abstract

For developing the cockpit structure of automobile, it is important to understand the properties and mechanisms for recognizing visual object and to use the basic knowledge for designing the ideal shape and position of information displays. In the present studies, we measured the angle ratio of head and eye movements for recognizing visual object presented in the periphery while driving an automobile simulator. We manipulated the contents of visual stimulus (optical flow) in the dynamic situation and the velocity of simulated movement of the car. The results showed that the angle ratio of the head and eye movements changed with the simulated velocity of optical flow and contents of stimulus. Magnitude of head movements decreased and that of eye movements increased when recognizing a peripheral visual stimulus as the attentional load for driving increased. We discuss the results in relation with the attentional distribution while driving automobile.