Which method do you prefer to calm down? Evaluating multimodal anger regulation in autonomous driving

Anger while driving negatively affects performance in both manual and supervised driving scenarios. While numerous studies have focused on detecting anger behind the wheel, research on its regulation remains limited and does not extend to automated driving. Moreover, previous work used alone emotion regulation strategies while combined methods work best in emotion modulation. This study explores a multimodal approach to regulate anger in autonomous driving by integrating auditory and visual modalities. Specifically, we combined low-arousal music, unconscious biofeedback via green ambient lighting, and participants’ photos. In our experiment, 36 participants were split into three groups. Anger was induced in two groups with only one benefiting from the regulation. The third is a control group with neutral induction and no regulation. Our findings highlight that the multimodal intervention effectively improves subjective and physiological emotional responses without specific impact on driving performances. Additionally, participants reported high acceptance and perceived relaxation, highlighting the potential of this approach for enhancing driver well-being in autonomous vehicles.