A driver fatigue detection system uses sensors to monitor the performance of the driver and their driving style to decrease the chances that driver fatigue may cause an accident. In case of fatigue, a reminder appears to take a break. Sometimes, these systems are also linked to adaptive cruise control, making them more effectively deactivated if they detect that the driver is not paying attention.
According to the global market database, cars sold today come with two types of fatigue detection systems. Indirect systems monitor vehicle movement through a camera mounted on the front of the vehicle to monitor for signs of driver fatigue are more common. In the second type of system, cameras and face-tracking technology measure the movements of the driver’s head and how often the driver blinks directly for signs of fatigue. It is also possible for a car to use both indirect and direct methods to gauge driver fatigue.
Indirect Fatigue Systems
According to the market database, an indirect system does not monitor a driver directly. The systems instead employ the same camera and sensors used in lane-keeping systems.
A forward-facing camera can detect fatigue by monitoring driving style and driving behavior related to exhaustion. An ongoing monitoring process provides data for this purpose. At the beginning of a trip, the system assumes the driver is alert and focused. During later segments of the trip, benchmarks are recorded and stored.
In the event of substantial deviations from the benchmark, the system warns the driver through a warning chime and message on the instrument cluster that fatigue is present. In addition to drifting within the lane, other behavioral changes such as abrupt steering, rapid acceleration, or a sudden change in speed may indicate tiredness.
Various parameters are taken into consideration when determining whether a driver is tired. More advanced systems use GPS to suggest a potential coffee shop, park, or service station where a driver can rest.
This indirect fatigue detection system may sample data only from motorways, making it well-suited to motorway driving. There is also the flaw of assuming that a driver is alert and well-rested when they begin their journey. Someone may have been sleep-deprived before starting on their journey. The system would be less effective in such a scenario if it were comparing their behavior at the beginning of their drive.
Direct Fatigue systems
According to the market database, direct fatigue systems monitor drivers directly to determine if they are fatigued. The process usually occurs through an infrared camera mounted within the vehicle, facing the driver. The camera and its associated components can detect burnout with the use of machine learning technology. In addition to tracking the driver’s head over time, the camera may evaluate various facial features. It includes blinking rates, eye movements, and eye gaze angles. A chime or another visual signal alerts the driver to take a break if fatigue is detected. It is capable of seeing through sunglasses and is unaffected by skin color.
According to the market database, they may also be included in certain Level 2 autonomous driving technologies. It assesses driver fatigue more accurately as they monitor the driver directly. A steering column-mounted camera in Cadillac’s Super Cruise system detects whether the driver pays attention to the system as it operates. A warning appears if the driver is not paying attention. Direct fatigue detection systems can be limited in harsh sunlight.
Mercedes: Attention Assist System
According to the market database, Mercedes-Benz “attention assist” detects driver fatigue based on specialized sensors and algorithms. This system analyzes driving habits during the first few minutes of the trip using more than 70 different parameters. The sensor also measures the vehicle’s movement and speed. The company’s engineers have conducted extensive research indicating that tired drivers often make minor steering mistakes.
Once the system has analyzed the responses and parameters, an audible and visible prompt announces “Time for a break”. A coffee cup icon appears on most Mercedes-Benz dashboards. On some models, the navigation system detected attention level, the amount of time spent driving, and the location of the nearest rest area. Driver fatigue is a primary cause of accidents. The Fatigue Detection Systems market and its 10-year business outlook can be understood using Global Market Database. Register now and access 10 year Global market forecast data for 5 markets free.
