RE: Merc develops fatigue detection

RE: Merc develops fatigue detection

Friday 24th November 2006

Merc develops fatigue detection

System knows if you're asleep at the wheel


Man watches TV on the Autobahn
Man watches TV on the Autobahn
Electric shocks to keep awake?
Electric shocks to keep awake?

Mercedes Benz has thrown some light into its thinking and processes as it develops a system that will detect when you're in danger of falling asleep at the wheel.

Over the course of their investigations, the company's team of engineers, cyberneticists, mathematicians, computer scientists and psychologists is testing out a variety of methods for detecting driver fatigue as soon as it sets in. One of these techniques is the eye-blink observation method: an infrared camera directed at the driver's head permanently monitors the eye-blink frequency, enabling microsleep to be detected the instant the eyes stay closed for a certain period of time. A warning signal sounds in the car's cockpit in response.

In order to obtain objective indicators of fatigue, other physiological readings such as the electroencephalogram (EEG) are used. Yet another method is based on the analysis of dynamic driving data, such as steering or braking characteristics. One of the systems triggers an alarm if the driver does not move the steering wheel for a prolonged period of time.

Detecting fatigue

However, initial results obtained by the engineers in Sindelfingen indicate that the observation of individual criteria alone does not allow reliable detection of tiredness. Fatigue is a highly complex phenomenon that can manifest itself in all manner of ways. In view of this, Mercedes-Benz will make use of a whole host of factors for fatigue detection, including the individual driving style, the duration of the journey, the time of day and the current traffic situation. By continually comparing this data with stored empirical values, the system will be able to compile an individual driver profile and use probability calculus to determine whether the driver is exhibiting the first signs of fatigue.

The principal goal of the development project is to detect the gradual transition from the state of being fully awake to being tired, in other words from high powers of concentration to a clear attention lapse, and warn the driver before he or she becomes over-fatigued and thereby jeopardises safety.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is a natural reaction of the body but, nevertheless, a hazardous one as many motorists are oblivious to its onset. They are exhausted and need to sleep but they continue driving - running a tremendous risk in the process.

The phenomenon that threatens to occur in this type of situation is referred to by experts as "microsleep": a spontaneous reaction of the human organism to over-fatigue. The eyes sting, the lids blink more frequently but more slowly too, the pupils become smaller, the driver yawns and shivers - all telltale warning signs of this phenomenon. Should the eyes remain closed for just one second longer than usual the consequences can be fatal, as in this second the car covers a whole 28 metres when travelling at a speed of 62mph -- effectively driverless and therefore out of control.

Microsleep with the eyes still open, which is also regularly observed by scientists during their investigations, is no less perilous. In this state, the brain processes what the eyes see very slowly or not at all, greatly lengthening the reaction times.

Darkness, monotony and overstrain are the most frequent triggers of microsleep at the wheel. A survey of drivers in Canada revealed that 27 per cent regularly drove between four and six hours on long journeys without a break. Investigations have shown, however, that drivers can react up to 50 per cent more slowly after just four hours of non-stop driving. The accident risk doubles after driving for this length of time and increases by more than eight fold after six hours behind the wheel.

Not only do tired motorists react more slowly and misjudge hazardous situations, they also overestimate their own capabilities and feel more alert than they actually are - characteristic symptoms of fatigue which are similar to those observed after excessive consumption of alcohol.

Chronic sleep disorders

A dangerous onset of fatigue whilst driving can also be provoked by a lack of sleep. Studies indicate that at least 20 per cent of Europeans suffer from sleep disorders during the night. Of the motorists who admitted to nodding off at the wheel in the Canadian survey, more than one in four slept less than six hours a night.

People who suffer from sleep apnoea syndrome are particularly affected. This condition causes sufferers to briefly stop breathing many times during the night and wake up with a start, meaning that they hardly ever reach the relaxing phases of deep sleep. Consequently, they feel tired during the day, they have trouble concentrating and tend to fall asleep - microsleep is tantamount to a self-defence mechanism triggered by the body in response to sleep disorders or lack of sleep during the night.

An investigation conducted by scientists at the University of the Ruhr in Bochum concluded that the accident risk whilst driving is two to three times higher for people suffering from sleep apnoea. During tests in a driving simulator, they caused "significantly more accidents" and suffered from "far more lapses of concentration which could potentially lead to an accident".

It is estimated that over 800,000 people are affected by sleep apnoea syndrome in Germany alone.

Greatest accident risk

Most road accidents caused by over-fatigue occur in the early hours of the morning between 0200 and 0600 as well as in the afternoon, according to studies carried out by insurance companies in Germany and the Swiss Advisory Agency for Accident Prevention. As well as fatigue, this fact can also be attributed to our biorhythms, as the human body is programmed for sleep and recuperation at these times. Human performance levels drop rapidly after 2200, reaching their lowest point between 0300 and 0400. Performance levels do not return to their maximum until the morning, which is the best time of day for long journeys.

The findings of traffic researchers indicate that many motorists are actually capable of recognising when they are tired, but by then it is often too late. Fatigue does not generally set in suddenly, rather it builds up over a certain period of time. During this time, reactions and powers of perception deteriorate continuously and to such a pronounced degree that the driver's ability to take the correct action may be compromised even in the early stages of fatigue.

The driver assistance system being designed by Mercedes-Benz for automatically detecting the first signs of fatigue and warning the driver accordingly can therefore make a vital contribution to improving safety on our roads.

What to do?

If drivers suddenly feel tired, there is only one solution: take a break. Drinking coffee, cola or energy drinks only serves to boost concentration levels briefly and can often leave drivers feeling even more fatigued when the effect wears off. A brisk walk in the fresh air, on the other hand, can often be far more beneficial. However, when it comes to combating fatigue as effectively as possible, nothing can beat a good sleep.

Author
Discussion

dinkel

Original Poster:

26,887 posts

257 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
Buy a car that isn't boring to drive

blueyes

4,799 posts

251 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
dinkel said:
Buy a car that isn't boring to drive



Says the man who drives a Diesel Corolla.

dinkel

Original Poster:

26,887 posts

257 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
[redacted]

mini_ralf

6,948 posts

216 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
Nicotine, window down, Red Bull, Metallica, fine ass babe, a decent road (not a motorway) to drive along and everything should be fine

Rob_the_Sparky

1,000 posts

237 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
I know, why not invent something that detects when people fall asleep to encourage people to think it is OK to drive when tired. Stonking idea, well done that man...

patently

109 posts

213 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
dinkel said:
Buy a car that isn't boring to drive


Interesting that the company researching this is the one that produces softly sprung, cossetting cars with nice heaters that waft along the road with litle effort required.

Can you image BMW researching this? Or Porsche? Or Caterham??

Road_Terrorist

5,591 posts

241 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
idea Hey why, not RAISE speed limits, when people go faster they tend to pay more attention and you get to your destination sooner and therefore dont get as tired.

aston67

872 posts

229 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
Why bother I say...

a) we will all priced out of our cars, or

b) a computer will drive our car or

c) we will be filthy rich to have a chaffeur

what about installing a mind reader device for a nice cappuccino instead?

A67

Mr.Flo

1 posts

209 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
I thought Volvo is already developing such systems?

mini_ralf

6,948 posts

216 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
Road_Terrorist said:
idea Hey why, not RAISE speed limits, when people go faster they tend to pay more attention and you get to your destination sooner and therefore dont get as tired.


Damned fine idea sir clap clap

rizla

29 posts

234 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
How about a car that detects FLATULENCE!

Automatically winds the windows down...

lathamjohnp

4,414 posts

283 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
dinkel said:
Buy a car that isn't boring to drive


Doesn't really help overall. For the first part of the journey, you're more awake, but the extra effort required to drive the car then induces greater fatigue.

A few years ago I crashed my Citroen ZX (rolled off motorway at 2am). So I bought an MX5, on the basis that (a) it took more concentration to drive (b) I could put the roof down to keep me alert.

I then pranged the MX5 when I fell asleep in a motorway traffic jam between junctions (roof down isn't exciting at 5mph, and couldn't get off or buy energy drink even thought I felt tired).

I'm more sensible now about driving when tired, and always keep a stock of Red Bull in the car.

John

summit7

647 posts

228 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
Fan bloody tastic Merc can now make a car that ensures that the driver works OK but when the car gets tired what happens if it's a Merc - it breaks down. They should concentrate on building better cars not on the driver.

crbox

461 posts

232 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
How about a buzzer that lets the Mercedes driver know when he has got in to or out of the car

rthierry

684 posts

280 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
rizla said:
How about a car that detects FLATULENCE!

Automatically winds the windows down...


roflroflroflroflrofl

scoobiewrx

4,863 posts

225 months

Saturday 25th November 2006
quotequote all
The best way to keep awake when doing a long journey whatever the time of day is to get an adrenal rush. This lasts much longer than any energy drink or walk could ever hope to. You either carry a supply of adrenalin in a fixing kit (pen injector), or more likely, you're driving along at say 90mph and you are knackered. Slowly you fall asleep at the wheel and you start to drift across the motorway. Shortly after you feel a large bang and rockin sensation.... You either just went into the back or side of a lorry/car or went onto the hard shoulder and slightly up the bank or scraped the central reservation. Then instantly you wake and feel the immediate rush of adrenalin coursing through your veins, and sh1t yourself at the near miss you just had.
That'll keep you awake for the rest of your journey like nothing else will, that's if you ain't dead!! hehe

Edited by scoobiewrx on Saturday 25th November 00:17

rob13

7,744 posts

223 months

Saturday 25th November 2006
quotequote all
Try travelling 30 miles on a dual carriageway after a nightshift and see if you can stay awake. Ive found that coffee does help before i leave, mixed with radio which is not music.

I drive an MX5 and still struggle to stay awake.

blueyes

4,799 posts

251 months

Saturday 25th November 2006
quotequote all
Los Angeles said:
I thought Benz had invented a claxon that warns of bits about to fall off the car.


Nah... TVR wouldn't release the patent.

Dubby

9 posts

227 months

Sunday 26th November 2006
quotequote all
scoobiewrx said:
The best way to keep awake when doing a long journey whatever the time of day is to get an adrenal rush. This lasts much longer than any energy drink or walk could ever hope to. You either carry a supply of adrenalin in a fixing kit (pen injector), or more likely, you're driving along at say 90mph and you are knackered. Slowly you fall asleep at the wheel and you start to drift across the motorway. Shortly after you feel a large bang and rockin sensation.... You either just went into the back or side of a lorry/car or went onto the hard shoulder and slightly up the bank or scraped the central reservation. Then instantly you wake and feel the immediate rush of adrenalin coursing through your veins, and sh1t yourself at the near miss you just had.
That'll keep you awake for the rest of your journey like nothing else will, that's if you ain't dead!! hehe

Edited by scoobiewrx on Saturday 25th November 00:17
thats 100% true ya dont feel tired if ya hang the back end out round a round about b4 you start drivin on the motorway :P

ChrisD

60 posts

265 months

Sunday 26th November 2006
quotequote all
Well, to be honest, it doesn't sound like such a bad idea after all. I mean, it doesn't say it warns you when you're already having those seconds-lasting sleep attacks (which I hope no sane person will be able to ignore and go on without having a rest first), but much earlier, when you're not noticing your getting really tired, but your driving already starts to show. I seriously don't share the high regard of that "let's just have another can of Red Bull and crank up the radio, it's gonna be fine and I can sleep when I arrive at home in 2 hours" approach. If you're tired, your driving sucks, regardless of you having a few cans of Red Bull. Your reaction time is just as bad as if you had a few pints too many - and if such a system makes a few more numpties aware of the fact that they a unsafe drivers ALTHOUGH they are staying within the speed limits and haven't changed lanes for the past 2 hours, I'm all for it.

Chris, the humourless German

Edited by ChrisD on Sunday 26th November 13:12