Unveiling the Complexity of Car Ride Comfort: A Holistic Model

Paper in proceeding, 2024

In recent years, the automotive industry has increasingly prioritized comfort to meet rising consumer expectations for luxurious car experiences. Comfort, a subjective concept associated with well-being and relaxation, encompasses multidimensional aspects rooted in physical, psychological, and functional aspects. While existing comfort models focus mainly on seated positions and sensations like fatigue and restlessness, the car travel experience introduces complexities due to varying number of occupants, diverse anthropometrics, different safety perceptions and desired activities. This paper proposes a holistic car ride comfort model, developed from interview data collected in two empirical studies involving 48 participants evaluating comfort in cars. The holistic model categorizes influential factors into physical, psychological, and functional comfort aspects and integrates elements of the product (the car), individual, and environment, unveiling the complexity of car ride comfort.