A Moving Metaverse: QoE challenges and standards requirements for immersive media consumption in autonomous vehicles.

The evolution of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) has blurred the distinction between drivers and passengers, resulting in increased demand for in-car entertainment. Simultaneously, social networking platforms are evolving to adopt AR (Augmented Reality)/VR (Virtual Reality)-centric metaverses. Self-driving cars will free up the drivers and passengers to engage in leisure activities such as watching VR videos and playing games while travelling. Before driverless cars can become a "third living space", open challenges confront the provision of immersive content (e.g., VR videos and gaming) with a high level of Quality of Experience (QoE). Current autonomous vehicular network technologies focus on navigation and safety and rely on ubiquitous high-speed 5G/6G network connectivity to provide a seamless streaming experience in AVs. The compounded risks of cyber- and motion-sickness are identified as barriers to the enjoyment of in-car VR entertainment technologies. The influence of AV car networks in different traffic conditions is identified as a key factor to minimize a person's risk of sickness and increase overall QoE. However, assessing the QoE of immersive media consumption in AV to its full potential is a difficult task that requires proper standard guidelines and directions. Existing surveys focus only on a specific metaverse or transportation system. These surveys lack a comprehensive view of the entire immersive media consumption process, QoE factors and aspects, and QoE standards for assessing immersive content in vehicular networks. To address these issues, we present an overview of the research landscape in the context of QoE and network standards that highlights the need for experimental studies to inform and consolidate the methodologies and recommendations for standardization of immersive content QoE assessment in AVs. Research and user studies have not yet yielded standards or recommendations describing assessment methodologies to evaluate immersive systems, such as exist for traditional video and images. A framework is outlined to provide a comprehensive understanding of the QoE influencing factors and aspects that will assist in adapting, augmenting, and producing standards for immersive entertainment in autonomous vehicles. • The convergence of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) and immersive media in "Moving Metaverse" brings in new in-car entertainment opportunities like VR videos and gaming during travel. • Challenges confront AVs from becoming a "third living space," including delivering high-quality immersive content (e.g., VR videos, gaming) due to network connectivity, motion sickness, and cybersickness. • To ensure user satisfaction when integrating immersive experiences into AVs, a thorough understanding of QoE factors such as cybersickness, presence, and immersion is required. • The survey identifies gaps in existing research, particularly in the standardization of QoE assessment methodologies for immersive content consumption in AVs and vehicular networks. • The survey helps to bridge the gap between industry advancements and academic research by providing a roadmap for future research goals and QoE standardization activities in the context of the "Moving Metaverse". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]