Bosch Driver Drowsiness Detection
Posted 30th April, 2012 in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment
Bosch has revealed details of its Driver Drowsiness Detection system, which helps drivers to battle fatigue – one of the main causes of serious accidents.
Currently standard equipment in Volkswagen’s Passat Alltrack model, the system utilizes information provided by the car’s electric power steering system, or by the steering angle sensor, which is an integral part of the vehicle’s ESP anti-skid system.
From the moment a journey begins, the driver’s steering actions are continuously monitored to detect ‘deadbands’. These are periods in which the driver briefly stops steering and then promptly makes a correction. Factors including the frequency of these movements, length of journey, use of turn signals, vehicle speed and time of day are combined to calculate the level of fatigue.
Once that level exceeds a certain value, an icon – such as a coffee cup – flashes on the instrument panel to warn drivers that a rest and a shot of caffeine may be in order.
[Source: Bosch]
