Instrumented steering wheel for biomechanical measurements

This paper introduces an instrumented steering wheel, built from a steering wheel divided in three sections. It has three dynamometers that measure the force wrench applied on each third. We describe the calibration process, which compensates for the effects of weight and inertia, with the introduction of a new parameter that contains the Euler force. A driving simulation platform was built as a demonstration setup: one driver was asked to perform two tests as a proof of concept of the instrumented steering wheel. Our analysis of the force wrench of the individual hands during these tests showed that the driver did not apply a symmetrical effort when steering the wheel. In addition, the driver showed little mechanical efficiency in the task as it appeared that non-negligible energy was expended for non-turning axes. In conclusion, the instrumented steering wheel is ready to be fully used as a measurement device for the quantization of the driving task. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.