Sensors in car seat should detect driver falling asleep

Researchers at Nottingham Trent University are working on technology in which sensors in the driver’s seat continuously measure various body characteristics to determine whether the driver is not falling asleep. If necessary, for example, cruise control is temporarily switched on.

The British university is working with sensor manufacturer Plessey to weave the sensors into the textile used to cover the front seats. According to Innovations in Textiles, the sensors are needed to generate an electrocardiogram. In addition to heart rate, the sensors can also monitor perspiration and other body characteristics of the driver.

If the data shows that the driver is in danger of falling asleep, the on-board computer must sound an alarm in an attempt to startle him or her awake. If this fails, the researchers would like to activate other safety systems, such as functions to keep the car in the correct lane and by activating active cruise control.

Although there are already systems based on cameras that claim to be able to detect whether a driver is falling asleep, this would be the first time that sensors are used that can be incorporated invisibly into a car seat. In addition, the researchers state that the sensors could also be used to detect, for example, a heart attack with the collected electrocardiograms, whereby the system could automatically activate an emergency service.

It is not yet clear when the first cars with this sensor system will come on the market; the Plessey company is still working with the university to improve the techniques.