Internship | Smart Seats: Predictive Vibrotactile Motion Cueing to Reduce Carsickness

Many passengers experience motion sickness when travelling, which is a challenge, especially in automated vehicles. Finding ways to reduce motion sickness is crucial to the success of future automated vehicles. At TNO, we have already shown that giving passengers auditory or vibrotactile cues can help them anticipate motion and, as a result, feel better. Building on this, we developed a car seat demonstrator which can produce spatiotemporal vibration patterns in the seat. In this thesis, you will design, test and evaluate different spatiotemporal cueing patterns for different vehicle manoeuvres. Such a solution contributes to increasing passenger comfort in automated driving by communicating the vehicle's intentions to the passenger.

Which spatiotemporal vibration patterns provide effective and comfortable motion cues in automated vehicles?

You will use an existing motion cueing demonstrator: a seat pad fitted with 24 vibration motors across the seat pan and backrest. Each motor can be individually controlled in terms of vibration intensity and duration. This demonstrator will be connected to the static driving simulator. As part of the project, you will select relevant automated driving use cases (e.g., stop‑and‑go traffic, lane changes, or slalom manoeuvres) and test different spatiotemporal vibration patterns. The patterns you develop will include decision logic to handle overlapping or successive events and varying acceleration levels. Finally, you will evaluate which cueing strategies are most effective and comfortable for passengers. The results will contribute to motion sickness mitigation strategies in automated vehicles and help to build passenger trust by making vehicle intentions more transparent.

Proposed approach:
1.Literature Review:

• Summarise existing knowledge on vibrotactile motion cueing and motion sickness mitigation.

2.Use Case Selection

• Choose automated driving scenarios (e.g., stop‑and‑go traffic, slalom) that include both longitudinal and lateral manoeuvres.

3.Decision Logic Development

• Get familiar with the existing motion cueing demonstrator.
• Design rules to manage overlapping or successive manoeuvres and different acceleration amplitudes

4.Predictive Cueing Pattern Exploration/ Optimisation

• Test and refine spatiotemporal vibration patterns for different manoeuvres.
• Evaluate effectiveness and passenger comfort.

5.Reporting:

• Summarise the literature review
• Describe methodology and results
• Formulate the conclusions and recommendations

What can you expect of your work situation?
You will work at the Integrated Vehicle Safety department of TNO on the Automotive Campus in Helmond. In this department, people are working on developing software for automated driving vehicles. The developed software is tested in pilots and on the public road. The department also develops methods to assess the safety and comfort on automated vehicles (more info on the department: Research on integrated vehicle safety | TNO). The people are young, enthusiastic and driven. You will work in an open area, within your own team. One of our employees will be your mentor. S/he will help you to get acquainted with the department and give you guidelines for your research in order to help you to get the best out of it. Parallel to this project, a separate project is planned to implement an interface between motion planning in automated vehicles and the cueing demonstrator.

The ideal candidate for this master thesis assignment has a background in human factors research or design, is proficient in Python and wants to contribute to the improvement of (comfort in) automated vehicles. You are able to work independently, but also know when to ask for support. We expect you to be able to start as soon as possible. The assignment is designed as a 6 month project based on full-time availability. To ensure smooth collaboration and access to our tools, we require you to work at the TNO office in Helmond at least twice a week.

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world. Read more about TNO as an employer.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion.

After the first CV selection, the application process will be conducted by the concerning department. TNO will provide a suitable internship agreement. If you have any questions about this vacancy, you can contact the contact person mentioned below.

Important to be aware of before applying:

• Before the start of the internship, the internship agreement from TNO needs to be signed. For students at a college or university based in the Netherlands, TNO uses the UNL-template (supplemented with a number of specific agreements from TNO). For students of foreign and MBO educational institutions, the TNO internship agreement applies. TNO does not sign any other internship agreements.
• Before the start of the internship, the educational institution will need to confirm in writing that:
  • 1) you are enrolled at the educational institution during the internship, and;
  • 2) the internship takes place as part of the programme of the study.
• The confirmation of educational institution takes place by signing the UNL template or forms prepared by TNO.
• Interns at TNO must be in possession of a Dutch residential address at the start of the internship. Performance of internship activities from abroad is not possible.