Neuromuscular dynamics and the vehicle steering task

The paper describes part of a research programme aimed at understanding and modelling the role of steering torque feedback in the vehicle-driver system. Measurement and data analysis procedures for identifying the passive properties (inertia, damping and stiffness) of the driver’s arms are presented. A linearised model is found to be satisfactory. In addition, the adaptive properties of the driver’s arm dynamics are identified. In particular the driver is able to stiffen the arms by co-activating opposing muscle pairs. By measuring muscle activity using electromyography the muscles involved in the steering task have been identified and muscle co-activation during a simulated driving task has been observed.