The effect of dynamic arm support on grip forces and steering errors during simulated driving

Drivers often drive with their hands in non-optimal positions on the steering wheel in order to take advantage of a car's armrests. We developed a spring-balanced, floating arm rest that can provide support to the arm against gravity with the hand in the optimal steering position. We tested how young adult drivers adapted to this arm rest while driving a simulator. Use of the arm support significantly decreased the average grip force used to hold the steering wheel by 30%. Steering error, quantified as the distance between the car and a centre line on a driving course, decreased significantly by 8% with arm support. These results suggest that a dynamic arm rest might improve driving ergonomics and safety.