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Polestar and University of Oxford study human physiological response to performance driving
Key points
- Polestar and Oxford University are studying driver experience.
- Pilot study used heart rate monitors and EEG on drivers.
- Drivers tested Polestar 4 models on a track.
- Research combines physiological data with car telemetry.
Quantifying Driver Experience
Polestar has initiated a pilot study with researchers from the University of Oxford to understand the human experience of driving performance vehicles. This collaboration seeks to move beyond conventional performance metrics such as acceleration and top speed, focusing instead on the physiological impact on the driver.
Christian Samson, Polestar’s head of product attributes, stated that the goal is to connect vehicle engineering with the driver's experience, especially as electric vehicles redefine performance capabilities.
Study Methodology
The study involved 12 drivers who track-tested both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the Polestar 4. The tests took place at the Gotland Ring circuit in Sweden.
Participants were equipped with heart rate monitors and skullcaps fitted with electrodes to collect physiological data. The cars' gaze-tracking driver monitoring systems also gathered information. This data was combined with vehicle telemetry and post-drive subjective interview assessments.
Focus on the Polestar 4
The Polestar 4, a midsize crossover, was the vehicle used for the study. Drivers completed laps gently and dynamically to capture a range of responses.
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Reporting from
Polestar partnered with the University of Oxford to conduct a pilot study measuring the human experience of driving performance cars. The research aims to quantify driver physiological responses to vehicle performance, moving beyond traditional metrics like acceleration and lap times.