Asleep At The Wheel: Saab, Volvo Warning Systems
Most drivers have been in the situation of being tired but having to drive. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver inattention, a category which includes drowsiness, contributes to 25 to 30 percent of all crashes.
No wonder that Volvo and Saab are now paying close attention to this fact and already have something to offer. Volvo is considering offering its Driver Alert as an option on several models early in 2008. Saab’s offer, called Driver Attention Warning System, is in the development stage, but some detailed information is already known.
The system uses two infra-red cameras located at the base of the drivers A-pillar and another at the center of the main fascia, focusing on the driver’s eyes. These cameras can detect drowsiness using software that analyzes the images taken from the driver’s eyelids. The Driver Attention Warning System also warns the driver when not looking directly at the road.
If cameras detect that the driver’s eyes have been closed for more than the period of a normal blink, then a warning is sounded the word “tired?” is displayed on a screen, reports AutoMotto.
When the system first detects possibility of drowsiness, it makes a warning sound and displays the text message “tired”, if the driver does not react to this warning, an audible message of “you are tired” plays through the vehicles audio system. Still no response? The system throws up a stronger warning tone with another audible message saying. “You are dangerously tired” stop as soon as it is safe to do so!
The cameras also detect the head movement of the driver. If the driver takes his eyes off the road for more than two seconds, the driver’s seat cushion will vibrate until the driver gets back into a proper driving posture.
Volvo and Saab are doing a great job. I liked the idea and the system. It should prove very popular as well as useful although it’s better not to drive if you are tired. Counting on these systems should only be if you don’t have any other option.
Photo: © gmeurope
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