Driving drowsy is an accident waiting to happen – causing more than 100,000 auto accidents and 1,550 deaths each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In response, carmakers and tech companies are developing technology to detect tiredness in drivers.
Volvo is researching a system that uses dashboard sensors to recognize if a driver is inattentive. The sensors monitor the driver’s head position and angle, the direction of their gaze, and how open their eyes are. The data is then relayed to the car’s Lane Keeping Aid and Collision Warning with full auto brake to alert the driver.
Ford’s Driver Alert System, featured in its Fusion Hybrid model, uses a forward-looking camera to identify signs of driver drowsiness, such as drifting between traffic lanes, and triggers a two-stage warning system.
Mercedes-Benz’s ATTENTION ASSIST determines driving style by analyzing more than 70 factors in the first few minutes of a drive, including steering movements, interaction with the vehicle’s controls, and even wind and road conditions. If it all adds up to driver fatigue, ATTENTION ASSIST sounds an alert.
Volkswagen’s Fatigue Detection system also analyzes driving characteristics after 15 minutes of driving to calculate a fatigue estimate. If the system determines the driver may be drowsy, it shows a warning in the Multi-function Display and sounds a signal.
Toyota Pre-Collision System with Driver Monitor focuses on the movement of the driver’s head. It projects the possibility of a collision based on how long the driver turns their head away from the road. First, a pre-crash warning alarm sounds; if the situation persists, the system will briefly apply the brakes.
Tech companies are in the game, too. DriveSafe, specifically designed for Google Glass, uses an algorithm to calculate your fatigue level based on factors such as the number of times the driver blinks and the angle of the driver’s head. DriveSafe then sounds off an alert signal to grab your attention and provides nearby location options for you to pull over.
Researchers in the UK are testing a sensor system built into the fabric of a car seat that monitors a driver’s heart to determine focus and alertness, and signals them to pull over if drowsiness is detected.
These technologies may help protect drivers and passengers, but these features are all supplemental to the driver’s own judgment. It’s up to the person behind the wheel to be responsible and not drive while tired.
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