Abstract
An aspect of recent human interface concerns suitable and comfortable maneuvering system for drivers. An operation device with a Joy-stick was developed, that was compared with a conventional steering wheel by actual vehicle traveling tests. The vehicle's motion under slalom travel conditions was filmed by VTR cameras and was analyzed using the image processing system. Driver's heart rate was also measured to examine his mental load while maneuver. An optimum steer angle with respect to an angle of inclination of the Joy-stick by driver's manipulation was examined using the driving simulator.
As a result, there was a tendency that an unskillful beginner could operate the vehicle by the Joy-stick device easier than by the conventional steering wheel and his physiological load was reduced during maneuvering. So it was found that the maneuverable steer gain changed in accordance with the speed of a vehicle and the range of allowable steer gain became narrower as its speed increased, and the beginner driver also had a tendency to prefer large steer gain in comparison with the experienced one.