"Reasons for Motion Sickness in Electric Cars and Solutions"

As the prevalence of electric cars continues to rise in modern society, we are seeing them more frequently on the streets. Especially, there's a growing number of electric taxis in operation. However, there are still some people who prefer internal combustion engine vehicles. One of the reasons for this preference is the perception that riding in an electric car can lead to heightened motion sickness. Let's explore the reasons behind this phenomenon.

 

However, matching the comfort level of combustion engine cars with electric cars may not be an easy task, considering the relatively short history of electric car development.

 

Differences Between Electric and Combustion Engine Cars: Acceleration and Deceleration There are several theories regarding the cause of motion sickness. The first theory suggests that it arises from the disparity between visual and motion cues processed by the eyes and ears. The second theory attributes it to the vibrations transmitted to the body within the vehicle. The third theory proposes that motion sickness is a type of immune response to the body reacting to an unfamiliar object. Among these, the first theory is the most widely accepted.

 

One of the primary reasons people experience motion sickness in electric cars is due to the "sharp acceleration and deceleration." This is because the braking system in electric cars operates differently from combustion engine cars. In a combustion engine car, braking only begins when the brake pedal is pressed, while in an electric car, deceleration starts the moment the foot is lifted off the accelerator pedal. Therefore, for those accustomed to combustion engine cars, it can feel like the electric car slows down "suddenly."

 

Response Time and Ride Comfort in Electric Cars

The motor response time in electric cars is faster than in combustion engine cars, resulting in quicker acceleration. This can make the ride feel less smooth and stable for individuals who prefer a gentler ride. The discrepancy between visual information and motion cues received by the eyes and vestibular system increases when the speed changes rapidly, which can lead to experiencing more motion sickness compared to riding in a combustion engine car.

 

The Human-Interface System Lab at Seoul National University explains that "current electric cars have acceleration patterns similar to sports cars," and because "speed increases as soon as you press the accelerator, people accustomed to the acceleration pattern of combustion engine cars may experience motion sickness in electric cars."

 

Solutions and Future Outlook

Is there a way to alleviate motion sickness experienced when riding in electric cars? Professor Yun Myeong-hwan suggests that "by adjusting acceleration and deceleration patterns according to driving conditions and the driver's state, or by developing technology to make the ride comfort of electric cars more similar to that of conventional combustion engine cars, we can address the issue." Additionally, research is underway to develop surveys for measuring the subjective intensity of motion sickness in electric car passengers.

 

However, matching the comfort level of combustion engine cars with electric cars may not be an easy task, considering the relatively short history of electric car development. The Vehicle-Human Interaction Lab at Konkuk University anticipates that "to elevate the level of ride comfort improvement technology for electric cars to a level comparable to that of internal combustion engine cars, time will be needed." Research findings, including motion sickness surveys, will be presented at the 22nd World Congress on Ergonomics (IEA 2024) scheduled to take place in Jeju Island, South Korea in August next year.