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Car seats that detect driver alertness: Review

Car seats that detect driver alertness: Review
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Researchers at the Nottingham Trent University have been working with a company called Plessey in order to develop car seats that are able to detect a driver’s alertness. This future innovation will be able to save many lives that are lost in road accidents due to driver negligence and fatigue.
Performance
To keep a check on a driver’s alertness, researchers have been trying to integrate an ECG (electrocardiogram) sensor system into these car seats. They are working on integrating this system directly into the fabric of seats. It will help in detecting a driver’s heart signals that further indicate his/her alertness. Such signals can be used to send data to drivers who may get alert when they start feeling sleepy or fatigued. Additionally, the system will rely on active cruise control or lane departure technology. A wireless system would be able to send the information to a control center.

Quality
This high-performance sensor system is expected to offer good-quality detection of a driver’s alertness. Drivers themselves and a control center would be able to know about the physical condition of drivers. This will help the control center to take timely action even if the driver is unable to pay attention to his/her tracked signals. This seems to be a simply designed yet powerful detection system to check when a driver is falling asleep.

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Ease of use
This system in car seats is simple to use, as it can automatically detect cardiac signals from a driver’s body. It is also easy to detect signals without any obstructions because the system uses capacitive sensors. However, there is some more work required on improving data reliability and consistency. The company is prepared to deal with it using robust electrodes.

Usefulness
This innovative technological system based on ECG sensors can be highly useful in detecting the condition of a driver and in preventing accidents that happen due to driver fatigue. As this system can send relevant information to drivers and a control center, it can be effective in controlling a vehicle and preventing any mishap.

Reputation
Coordinated by Plessey and the Nottingham Trent University, which are both highly reputed bodies, this project is sponsored by the Technology Strategy Board for its innovative concept. Thus, one cannot doubt the future system’s quality and performance.

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