Project Jolly Ride

Humanizing Driver Assistance Systems with Humor and Gamified Engagement

humor

noun

(hu·mor ˈhyü-mər ˈyü- )

Humor originally meant moisture, evolving from bodily fluids to describe moods and whims, reflecting the belief that our dispositions were shaped by the balance of these fluids.

Today, humor means the ability to provoke laughter and joy, a uniquely human trait.

Understanding the factors that influence a driver’s mood is a critical step in improving safety, well-being, and overall driving experience. I’ve begun researching the wide range of elements that can impact a driver’s emotional state—some are obvious, while others are less immediately apparent. By exploring these nuances, we can uncover opportunities to design solutions that address not only the functional but also the emotional needs of drivers.

The Obvious

Traffic congestion – Long delays and gridlock can lead to frustration and anger.
Weather conditions – Rain, snow, fog, or extreme heat can create discomfort and stress.
Road conditions – Potholes, construction zones, or unclear signage add to frustration.
Time pressure – Running late or feeling rushed increases stress levels.
Other drivers’ behavior – Aggressive or careless driving by others can provoke irritation or anxiety.
Fatigue – Sleep deprivation or long hours on the road affects mood and patience.
Music and radio – The type of music or news being listened to can either calm or agitate.

The Less Obvious

Cabin environment – Uncomfortable seating, poor air circulation, or cluttered interiors can subtly irritate.
Smells in the car – Unpleasant odors or overwhelming air fresheners can affect mood.
Passenger interactions – Conflicts, distractions, or even engaging conversations can shift focus and mood.
Personal stressors – Financial worries, relationship problems, or mental health challenges influence mood even before driving.
Caffeine or sugar levels – Diet and recent consumption can impact energy and emotional regulation.
Expectations of the journey – Anticipation of the destination (e.g., a dreaded meeting) or the journey itself can cause anxiety.
Technology distractions – Notifications or reliance on faulty GPS can frustrate.
Visual stimuli – Billboards, flashing lights, or even monotonous scenery can affect focus and mood.
Vehicle performance – Concerns about fuel levels, engine noise, or other mechanical issues can cause unease.
Peer or social pressure – Trying to impress passengers or adhering to someone else’s schedule adds strain.
Seasonal mood changes – Conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can subtly affect mood behind the wheel.
Perceived unfairness on the road – Being “cut off” or witnessing traffic rule violations can lead to feelings of injustice and frustration.

Let’s take a moment to discuss Tesla and its primary competitor, the Chinese automaker BYD.

Tesla is often regarded as more than just an automotive manufacturer—it’s a technology company. One of its key differentiators lies in the vast amounts of data it collects, which many argue gives it a significant edge over competitors.

What data does Tesla collect?

Traffic congestion: Tesla tracks real-time traffic data to optimize routes, which indirectly reflects congestion levels.
Weather conditions: Tesla adjusts its systems for temperature and rain (via wiper activation) but does not comprehensively track weather conditions.
Road conditions: Tesla maps road irregularities, like potholes or construction zones, using sensor data from its fleet. This data is used to enhance navigation and safety.
Other drivers’ behavior: Tesla’s cameras and sensors track the movements of nearby vehicles, identifying aggressive or careless behaviors to assist its safety systems.
Fatigue: Indirectly, Tesla uses in-cabin cameras to monitor driver attentiveness and issue warnings if signs of fatigue or distraction are detected.
Music and radio: Tesla gathers data on entertainment preferences, such as streaming services, playlists, and radio usage. This is particularly interesting because the type of entertainment chosen can influence or reflect a driver’s mood. For example, calm music may suggest relaxation, while high-energy playlists might indicate the driver is trying to stay alert. By analyzing such patterns, Tesla could potentially tailor in-car experiences to positively affect the driver’s state of mind.
Cabin environment: Tesla monitors cabin temperature, air quality (in some models), and seat adjustments. These factors are used to optimize comfort and energy efficiency.
Smells in the car: Tesla does not monitor odors, though climate control settings could indirectly influence perceptions of the cabin environment.
Passenger interactions: Tesla does not record interactions between passengers to maintain privacy. However, some in-cabin cameras may passively capture this as part of broader driver monitoring.
Expectations of the journey: Indirectly, navigation data may infer anticipated destinations, but Tesla does not explicitly assess the driver’s emotional state regarding the journey.
Technology distractions: Tesla tracks interaction with its touchscreen and voice commands. It issues warnings if excessive interaction is detected while driving.
Visual stimuli: Indirectly, Tesla cameras detect external stimuli like billboards or flashing lights as part of the environment for FSD.
Vehicle performance: Tesla monitors vehicle health, such as battery levels, engine performance, and system diagnostics. Alerts are sent if issues arise.
Seasonal mood changes: Indirectly, Tesla can infer seasonal conditions based on location and climate, but it doesn’t directly link these to mood changes.
Perceived unfairness on the road: Indirectly, Tesla’s systems monitor road interactions like vehicles cutting in or aggressive driving, but this is interpreted for safety purposes rather than mood analysis.

(I’m currently researching BYD and will share my findings here soon).

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse