Sleep Quality and Comfort in Fully Automated Vehicles: A Comparison of Two Seat Configurations

Twelve participants tried sleeping in reclined and flat seats, with a four-hour sleep opportunity in each configuration. The study compared polysomnography and self-reported comfort. Total sleep was broadly comparable. The flat seat showed a trend towards faster sleep onset and a greater share of deep non-REM sleep, and most participants preferred it. The comparison informs seat design for passengers in automated vehicles.

Applied Ergonomics, 114, 104137