Design and Evaluation of a Virtual Reality Adaptive Driving Intervention Architecture (VADIA): Applications in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Injury, loss of life, and tremendous financial tolls have for years plagued drivers in the United States and in nearly every industrialized nation in the world. Despite the associated risks, driving remains an essential part of life for over 200 million Americans. In addition to social and behavioral deficits, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) often struggle to develop the adaptive skills necessary to achieve independence. Driving intervention in individuals with ASD is a growing area of study, but is still widely under-researched. Moreover, existing simulated driver training systems focus on improving driving performance, but do not necessarily address processing deficits of people with ASD. VADIA, a virtual reality adaptive driving intervention architecture, was developed to fill this gap. Through a series of validation tests and pilot studies involving 27 subjects with ASD, VADIA is shown to be functional and robust, as well as a promising tool for driving intervention in individuals with ASD.