UK researchers test XR driving tools to support autistic learners
A new UK project is exploring driving training through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to help people on the autism spectrum gain confidence behind the wheel. Reported by the BBC, the initiative is a collaboration between researchers at the University of Bath and the University of Exeter, with the aim of reducing barriers and promoting greater independence for autistic drivers.
How the project works
The team is leveraging extended reality (XR) technologies—a blend of VR and AR—to create learning experiences that mirror real-road situations while keeping learners in a safe, controlled setting. The idea is to let participants practice driving in a non-threatening environment, at a pace that suits them, and to gradually expose them to more complex scenarios before they sit in a real car.
Why XR could help
Researchers say that anxiety and sensory sensitivities can make traditional driving lessons particularly challenging for autistic individuals. By isolating the learning environment from social pressures and unpredictable outside stimuli, XR-based tools could lower initial anxiety, build practical skills, and foster a sense of autonomy. One lead researcher explains that by addressing real-world barriers, the project hopes to encourage independence for autistic drivers.
Expert perspectives
Professor Mark Brosnan of the University of Bath notes that driving is a longstanding hurdle for many on the spectrum due to hypersensitivities and the difficulty of interpreting social cues at intersections. He emphasizes the need for technology that can be used at home and tailored to individual needs, with data-driven feedback helping learners adjust at their own pace. Another researcher, Dr. Tom Arthur of Exeter University, emphasizes focusing on concrete challenges in the real world to reduce fear and build confidence during the learning process.
The participant view
Among the participants is a 19-year-old from Gloucestershire who has not felt ready to begin driving. She says that using these technologies could let people learn at their own pace, make non-harmful mistakes in a simulated setting, and ultimately change what is possible in her life. The emphasis is on gradual exposure and controlled practice, rather than rushing toward a driving test.
Global context and complementary work
Shifting the focus to international examples, researchers point to two notable overseas efforts. In the United States, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville operates a driving-simulator program that collects individualized driver data to tailor learning while also screening for the basic skills needed to drive. A separate private entity, Auriga Interactive, develops autism-focused driving simulations in a home-friendly format. These global efforts inform the UK project and help researchers compare models of instruction and measurement across contexts.
Local context and gaps
In Israel, there is currently no driving school that explicitly advertises autism-specific programs. Locally available simulators mainly address attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or generalized anxiety, with ongoing work to adapt them for sensory and emotional regulation, which are central concerns for autistic learners. The UK project’s goal is to contribute solutions that align with autistic learning profiles, including sensory regulation, emotional pacing, and reduced overstimulation, while collecting real-time data to improve the experience.
What lies ahead
The researchers acknowledge that they are at an early stage and are still determining whether VR and AR are most effective before starting to drive or after learners have begun to practice with a real vehicle. The next steps involve refining the XR experiences, expanding access so learners can train at home, and gathering outcomes data to show how these tools influence confidence, skill acquisition, and independent driving.
For more information on related simulations, researchers point to initiatives such as SAFE Driving Simulator by Auriga Interactive and other XR learning platforms currently in development.
