Effects of a seat-integrated mobilization system during passive driver fatigue.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a seat-integrated mobilization system for maintaining vigilance under monotonous driving situations.

Method: For this purpose, vigilance indicators were compared intra-individually in a test condition with mobilization (seat-integrated stimulation) and a placebo condition under standardized conditions in a real driving study (N = 31). During a monotonous two-hour ride, physiological (brain activity by the EEG alpha spindle rate), performance-based (reaction times) and subjective indicators were recorded.

Results: The necessary precondition for the paradigm of inducing fatigue through monotony was confirmed by a significant increase in the EEG alpha spindle rate and the subjective vigilance indices. The mobilization system had a significant impact on the most fatigue-sensitive parameter of the alpha spindle rate, whereas the other parameters of vigilance did not reflect a significant effect of mobilization.

Conclusion: The Mobilization Seat is an effective measure to prevent drivers' fatigue during monotonous situations.