Driver training in immersive virtual reality (VR) and transfer to the real world. A feasibility study on learning how to drive a truck in VR
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Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2026
Type of student thesis
Course of study
Collections
Type
04B - Conference paper
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Parent work
Volume XLIX-B4-2026, 2026 - XXV ISPRS Congress 2026 “From Imagery to Understanding”, Commission IV
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DOI of the original publication
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Related research data
Series
The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Series number
Volume
XLIX-B4-2026
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
281-288
Patent number
Publisher / Publishing institution
Copernicus Publications
Place of publication / Event location
Toronto
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Version
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Practice partner / Client
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) offers important advantages in training complex spatial skills, as required for example in driving, because it enables immersion and experience-based learning, and offers financial, ecological, and safety benefits. In the context of driving, as larger vehicles can be especially challenging to master for beginners, we investigated whether truck driving instruction and practice in a VR-simulator enhances performance, and whether the acquired skills transfer to maneuvering a real vehicle. In an empirical feasibility study, we first measured learners’ performance while an experienced instructor trained them on a conventional simulator vs. in VR, following analogous training protocols. The task was to reverse a truck with a trailer, a particularly difficult task that requires extensive practice. After training, participants completed a test on a real vehicle to validate the effectiveness of the training. Participants were asked to report previous experience, attitudes towards the system, motion sickness, and fatigue levels. Four male participants, who had a car driving license but no experience reversing a truck with trailer, completed the training. Results demonstrate that basic maneuvering skills can be trained in VR and transfer to the real vehicle. Even with a low-budget VR solution, participants learned easily, and learning curves were comparable to the simulator condition. Participants reported positive attitudes towards the training in both conditions. Future research could investigate whether using a customized VR environment that takes full advantage of all the benefits of VR, could lead to even greater training gains.
Keywords
Subject (DDC)
Event
XXV ISPRS Congress 2026
Exhibition start date
Exhibition end date
Conference start date
04.07.2026
Conference end date
11.07.2026
Date of the last check
ISBN
ISSN
1682-1750
1682-1777
2194-9034
1682-1777
2194-9034
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
peer-reviewed
Open access category
Diamond
License
Citation
Frick, A. R., & Cöltekin, A. (2026). Driver training in immersive virtual reality (VR) and transfer to the real world. A feasibility study on learning how to drive a truck in VR. In S. Li, D. Lichti, S. Jabari, S. Zlatanova, M. A. Brovelli, & H. Wu (Eds.), Volume XLIX-B4-2026, 2026 - XXV ISPRS Congress 2026 “From Imagery to Understanding”, Commission IV: Vol. XLIX-B4-2026 (pp. 281–288). Copernicus Publications. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-xlix-b4-2026-281-2026