According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 accidents a year, leading to 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths. And since more people have smartphones and other portable electronics riding shotgun with them these days, distracted driving while texting and tweeting only adds to this statistic.
While automakers are on a technology tear to bring smartphone integration to the dash to ostensibly make it less distracting to use the devices while behind the wheel, many luxury brands have also been perfecting nanny-car safety features to help protect occupants from themselves if they aren't paying attention while composing a text message, firing off a Twitter update or updating their Facebook status.
Now the Swedish company Tobii Technology says it's come up with a system that watches drivers' eyes to tell whether they're getting tired or are glued to a Twitter app. And the company claims that the technology can be integrated into vehicles inexpensively, so not just those who can afford a luxury vehicle will be protected from causing drowsy and distracted driving accidents.
Several high-end automakers already offer technology to help combat both drowsy and distracted driving. Mercedes-Benz's' Attention Assist feature keeps tabs on steering-wheel and throttle input to detect when you're starting to tire, while its Active Lane Keeping Assist automatically keeps a car between the stripes and Pre-Safe Brake stops it in case you don't.
Volvo's Driver Alert Control system uses a camera to watch for lane swerving that indicates drowsiness -- or too much time eyes-off-the-road time. And Lexus has its Pre-Collision System with Driver Attention Monitor that uses an infrared camera to detect which direction a driver is looking when the vehicle is in motion. If it's not straight ahead for too long of a time, the system warns the driver and can even apply the brakes if an object (person, animal, tree) is in the car's path.
Tobii's system uses two cameras placed at different angles and operating at "near-infrared frequencies to eliminate interference from external light." The company claims the system can determine whether a driver's eyes are open or closed, and if the driver's head is turned. And will also work if the driver is wearing sunglasses.
Tobii's technology detects distraction using "head pose algorithms" and eye tracking similar the BMW's pupilometry research. It also registers eye openness, blink speed and blink duration -- and the ratio between the latter two -- in order to determine if a driver is sleepy. Tobii claims its current system can detect distraction in 95 percent of cases, and expects to achieve 99 percent accuracy by the time the system is on the market.
"We are confident that this type of system will be integrated in high volume vehicles within five years," said Tobii's OEM manager Jan-Erik Lundkvist. "Many tier-one suppliers to the automotive industry and car brands themselves have shown significant interest. The technology will not affect the price of the vehicle significantly," he added. "However, the price ... is a question for the manufacturers."
He also pointed out that Tobii's platform only covers detection and doesn't inform drivers of their level of sleepiness or distraction. It would be up to individual automakers to integrate Tobii into their vehicle or existing safety system.
Maybe a mechanical slap in the face could be added to wake sleepy drivers -- and to deter them from texting.
herblair says:
05:30 PM, 12/14/11
There could be a way to shutdown devices when distracted or drowsy - essentially electronic slap in the face