Evolved Comfort in the Era of Autonomous Driving: Emic/Etic Approach to Reformulate It

The concept of driving comfort has evolved significantly with advancements in automobile technology and the emergence of self-driving vehicles. This study uses the emic/etic approach to redefine driving comfort. While manufacturers have successfully addressed physical comfort (e.g., vibration control and noise reduction), modern comfort now encompasses new aspects, which will continue to evolve with the widespread adoption of self-driving cars. In this study, an attempt has been made to achieve a comprehensive definition of comfort while using autonomous vehicles, according to some interviews which were conducted with related experts. This study is inspired by the emic/etic approach. This approach is a successful model in presenting new concepts in the psychology (personality, etc.), which has recently been tested in the interaction of humans with technology. In the preliminary examination of the results, comfort first and foremost refers to more than just physical comfort and absence of vibration. The study addresses new issues like meeting passengers’ technical demands and gaining their trust in self-driving cars’ decision-making. Increasing research is focusing on comfort in autonomous vehicles, particularly human-technology interaction. Expectations for self-driving cars differ from conventional ones, with people wanting autonomous vehicles to ensure comfort and safety through human-like driving patterns and to build trust by making reliable decisions, while humans monitor the driving.