Effects of Viewpoint Presentation Methods on Driving Workload in Vehicle Teleoperation Systems

Abstract

The growing demand for logistics in Japan coupled with severe driver shortages has accelerated the development of teleoperational systems for autonomous vehicles. This technology allows a remote operator to supervise and intervene when autonomous driving is not feasible, thereby enabling a single operator to effectively manage multiple vehicles. Although previous studies suggest that alternative perspectives, such as bird’s-eye views or virtual-reality-based visualizations, can improve situational awareness, their specific impact on operator workload remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to identify optimal viewpoint presentation methods by examining their influence on both mental and physiological workloads. In our experimental protocol, participants navigated courses modeled after standard driver’s license training routes, which required a moderate level of driving skill. We evaluated operator experience through validated questionnaires focusing on situational awareness and task difficulty. Physiological stress levels were analyzed using skin conductance to provide objective data. The findings clarify the viewpoints that are most effective under varying operational scenarios, offering critical insights for designing efficient remote driving interfaces and improving overall system safety.

Keywords: Automated Driving, Automated Vehicle, Teleoperation System

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007854