Araştırma Makalesi

The Transitions from Self-Driving to Passenger Mode: A VR Simulator-Based Pilot Study on Quantifying Cognitive Load in Autonomous Driving UX

Cilt: 14 Sayı: 2 30 Haziran 2026
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The Transitions from Self-Driving to Passenger Mode: A VR Simulator-Based Pilot Study on Quantifying Cognitive Load in Autonomous Driving UX

Öz

Autonomous driving technologies are transforming the driver’s role from an active controller into an increasingly passive supervisor, and this transformation directly affects users’ cognitive processes. Laboratory-based simulations and real-vehicle road tests may remain insufficient for examining this experiential transformation in an integrated manner, due to limitations including scalability, limited scenario diversity, and evaluation pressure on participants. This study proposes a user experience (UX) testing and data analysis framework that integrates virtual reality (VR), a game simulator, and eye-tracking technologies to overcome these limitations. Sixteen scenarios were constructed in a VR-based game simulator environment by combining four levels of control, ranging from no automation to fully autonomous passenger-mode driving, with four increasing levels of task difficulty. A pilot study was conducted in this environment to assess the technical feasibility of the proposed framework. In each of the sixteen scenarios, participants’ pupil diameter and eye gaze movement data were synchronously recorded using virtual reality–based eye-tracking sensors. Variations in pupil diameter and gaze-movement patterns were quantitatively analyzed and converted into a standardized Cognitive Load Score (CLS) to represent cognitive load in each scenario. A Python software tool called CoLoX was developed to standardize the CLS transformation process and make it reproducible. It uses data from eye-tracking sensors, following the analysis methods outlined in this study, to generate cognitive load scores across different scenarios. Results from the pilot study indicate that this approach is technically feasible and that multi-layered biometric data can be used to derive cognitive load indicators across varying driving conditions. The proposed framework provides a scalable and lasting foundation for studying the autonomous driving experience as a user experience design challenge, focusing on cognitive load rather than solely on technical automation metrics. As a pilot investigation, the findings are intended to demonstrate methodological applicability rather than to support statistical generalization.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Kaynakça

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Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Endüstriyel Ürün Tasarımı, Etkileşim ve Deneyim Tasarımı

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yayımlanma Tarihi

30 Haziran 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

10 Şubat 2026

Kabul Tarihi

22 Mayıs 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Cilt: 14 Sayı: 2

Kaynak Göster

APA
Uruç, A., Yavuzcan, H. G., & Toros, S. (2026). The Transitions from Self-Driving to Passenger Mode: A VR Simulator-Based Pilot Study on Quantifying Cognitive Load in Autonomous Driving UX. Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning, 14(2), 255-274. https://izlik.org/JA68GJ82CJ
AMA
1.Uruç A, Yavuzcan HG, Toros S. The Transitions from Self-Driving to Passenger Mode: A VR Simulator-Based Pilot Study on Quantifying Cognitive Load in Autonomous Driving UX. GUJSPB. 2026;14(2):255-274. https://izlik.org/JA68GJ82CJ
Chicago
Uruç, Abdulkadir, H. Güçlü Yavuzcan, ve Seçil Toros. 2026. “The Transitions from Self-Driving to Passenger Mode: A VR Simulator-Based Pilot Study on Quantifying Cognitive Load in Autonomous Driving UX”. Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning 14 (2): 255-74. https://izlik.org/JA68GJ82CJ.
EndNote
Uruç A, Yavuzcan HG, Toros S (01 Haziran 2026) The Transitions from Self-Driving to Passenger Mode: A VR Simulator-Based Pilot Study on Quantifying Cognitive Load in Autonomous Driving UX. Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning 14 2 255–274.
IEEE
[1]A. Uruç, H. G. Yavuzcan, ve S. Toros, “The Transitions from Self-Driving to Passenger Mode: A VR Simulator-Based Pilot Study on Quantifying Cognitive Load in Autonomous Driving UX”, GUJSPB, c. 14, sy 2, ss. 255–274, Haz. 2026, [çevrimiçi]. Erişim adresi: https://izlik.org/JA68GJ82CJ
ISNAD
Uruç, Abdulkadir - Yavuzcan, H. Güçlü - Toros, Seçil. “The Transitions from Self-Driving to Passenger Mode: A VR Simulator-Based Pilot Study on Quantifying Cognitive Load in Autonomous Driving UX”. Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning 14/2 (01 Haziran 2026): 255-274. https://izlik.org/JA68GJ82CJ.
JAMA
1.Uruç A, Yavuzcan HG, Toros S. The Transitions from Self-Driving to Passenger Mode: A VR Simulator-Based Pilot Study on Quantifying Cognitive Load in Autonomous Driving UX. GUJSPB. 2026;14:255–274.
MLA
Uruç, Abdulkadir, vd. “The Transitions from Self-Driving to Passenger Mode: A VR Simulator-Based Pilot Study on Quantifying Cognitive Load in Autonomous Driving UX”. Gazi University Journal of Science Part B: Art Humanities Design and Planning, c. 14, sy 2, Haziran 2026, ss. 255-74, https://izlik.org/JA68GJ82CJ.
Vancouver
1.Abdulkadir Uruç, H. Güçlü Yavuzcan, Seçil Toros. The Transitions from Self-Driving to Passenger Mode: A VR Simulator-Based Pilot Study on Quantifying Cognitive Load in Autonomous Driving UX. GUJSPB [Internet]. 01 Haziran 2026;14(2):255-74. Erişim adresi: https://izlik.org/JA68GJ82CJ