MAXIM: Mixed-reality Automotive driving XIMulation

Abstract

In-lab driving simulators have been favored by human-vehicle interaction researchers and interface designers due to their capabilities in unfettered construction of surrounding environments. On-road driving simulators, meanwhile, were developed for experiments in a real-world context. We introduce new methods and tools for simulating driving via virtual vehicle in real-world environments. The proposed system fully exploits the benefits of vivid sensory information in real road environments without sacrificing the unlimited potential of environment construction for it. In this paper, we explain the system design of the platform, and we verify its capabilities as a driving simulator through a pilot study (N=10). The proposed platform is perceived as highly realistic and can easily be augmented to test new urban landscapes and futuristic interfaces before occupancies.