Virtual coaches in virtual reality (VR) offer scalable mental health treatment without an on-site therapist, yet their impact on psychophysiological responses remains unclear. We examine how VR content and coach design influence physiological measures, such as heart rate (HR) and electrodermal activity (EDA), in a therapeutic setting. 120 participants with a fear of heights interacted with a virtual coach that varied in facial warmth (with/without) and affirmative nods (with/without) during a virtual consultation, followed by a virtual height exposure. Physiological responses were recorded. Virtual heights exposure elicited significantly higher HR (p < 0.001, r = 0.347) and EDA (p = 0.003, r = 0.292), but also increased heart rate variability (HRV, p = 0.005, r = 0.272) compared to the VR consultation. Warm facial expressions increased EDA peak amplitudes (p = 0.043, ηP2 = 0.574) during the consultation and raised HRV during height exposure (p = 0.036, ηP2 = 0.041). This study highlights VR coach design’s impact on physiological responses, emphasising the need for thoughtful emotional design to enhance therapeutic outcomes in automated VR therapies.

The adoption of automated vehicles will be a positive step towards road safety and environmental benefits. However, one major challenge that still exist is motion sickness. The move from drivers to passengers who will engage in non-driving related tasks as well as the potential change in the layout of the car interior that will come with automated vehicles are expected to result in a worsened experience of motion sickness. The previous workshop [18] highlighted the need for consensus on guidelines regarding study design for motion sickness research. Hence, this workshop will develop a guide for motion sickness research through reflection and discussions on the current methodologies used by experts in the field. Further it will build on the knowledge collected from the previous workshop and will thereby facilitate not only new research ideas and fruitful collaborations but also find a consensus in the field in regard to study design and methodologies.

The mass adoption of automated vehicles in the near future will benefit safety (of occupants and pedestrians), the environment (low emissions), and society (accessibility, on-demand travel). There are, however, still challenges that need to be addressed, with one of the most crucial being motion sickness. In automated vehicles, the interior could be transformed into a living room or a working space, allowing occupants to spend their time with non-driving activities. These changes are likely to provoke, and increase, motion sickness incidence. To that end, this workshop will explore the current state of motion sickness detection and mitigation methods from different angles (e.g., closed-loop detection, multimodal motion cues,etc.) through expert talks and reflections, followed by discussions. The workshop will develop an agenda for motion sickness research in automated vehicles, facilitate new research ideas and fruitful collaborations.