Human-Centric Future Mobility: Bridging VR Simulation, Automation, and Sustainable Transport Behavior

NORD University

3 to 6 months

35 hours a week

English B2

Welcome to Nord University Campus in STJØRDAL, Norway, HHN Nord Business School – Road Traffic Department – TRAFIKKLAB.

Join the TRAFIKKLAB team for an immersive research experience at the intersection of psychology, technology, and engineering. This “umbrella” project offers students the flexibility to investigate how humans interact with the next generation of transport systems. Our research focuses on three core pillars:

Immersive Technologies (VR/AR): Evaluating risk perception in 360° virtual environments for drivers, e-scooter riders, and pedagogical applications in driver training.
Vehicle Automation & Interaction: Studying Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI), such as touchscreens and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and driver behavior during “takeover” requests in autonomous vehicles
Sustainable Transition: Comparing driving performance between Electric Vehicles (EV) and Internal Combustion engines in simulated environments, and exploring the strategic role of mobility management in smart cities.

Erasmus + grant available depending on eligibility criteria of the sending institution.

Tasks and duties entrusted to the student:

Depending on the chosen sub-theme, the student will:

Design and produce 360° VR/AR content for traffic safety.
Conduct experimental sessions using high-end driving simulators to test distraction and takeover performance.
Analyze real-world data from different vehicle brands to compare automated system algorithms (ACC). - Engage in qualitative research (interviews/surveys) with public sector stakeholders regarding regional mobility planning.

Skills to be acquired or developed:

Immersive Media Production: Students will gain hands-on experience in producing 360° VR content and 3D scenarios for risk perception research.
Experimental Design; Data Collection: Participants will learn to design laboratory experiments, recruit test subjects, and collect empirical data using both qualitative surveys and quantitative simulator metrics.
Advanced Simulation Technology: Students will develop technical proficiency in operating high-fidelity driving simulators to test human behavior in autonomous (SAE Level 3) and electric vehicle environments.
HMI; ADAS Analysis: The internship provides skills in evaluating Human-Machine Interfaces (touchscreens) and comparing the performance of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ACC) across different vehicle manufacturers.
AR Pedagogical Innovation: Students will have the unique opportunity to explore Augmented Reality (AR) glasses to develop and evaluate new educational prototypes for driver training.
Strategic Mobility Planning: Students will acquire a professional understanding of the coordinator's role in regional and municipal transport management, focusing on digitalization and sustainability. - Behavioral Data Analysis: Participants will learn to analyze how distractions and different vehicle types (EV vs. ICE) impact reaction times, decision-making, and overall road safety.

ass. prof. Giuseppe Marinelli

giuseppe.marinelli@nord.no