TORONTO – Jaguar Land Rover has a plan to combat distracted driving by using advanced safety technology that would monitor brainwaves of drivers in an effort to keep them focused behind the wheel.
According to the automaker, the technology would use sensors in the car’s steering wheel to monitor the driver’s heart rate, respiration and brain activity to identify driver stress, fatigue, or a lack of concentration.
Dubbed “Mind Sense,” the technology would be able to assess whether the driver is focused, daydreaming, sleepy, or generally distracted.
Similar technology is currently being used by NASA to develop its pilot’s concentration skills. The U.S. bobsleigh team has even used brainwave monitoring to enhance concentration and focus.
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“We believe some of the technologies currently being used in aerospace and medicine could help improve road safety and enhance the driving experience,” said Dr. Wolfgang Epple, Jaguar Land Rover’s director of research and technology.
“Even if the eyes are on the road, a lack of concentration or a daydream will mean the driver isn’t paying attention to the driving task. They may miss a warning icon or sound, or be less aware of other road users so we are looking at how we could identify this and prevent it causing an accident.”
Jaguar Land Rover’s research is being led by its advanced research team based in Warwick, England.
While the automaker’s research may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, it touches on a growing issue with today’s drivers.
According to a recent RBC Insurance poll, seven in 10 Canadians admitted to being distracted behind the wheel, and even more – almost nine in 10 – have noticed the distracted driving of others.
In March, Ontario Provincial Police said distracted driving deaths will likely surpass those of impaired driving for the seventh year in a row.
“If brain activity indicates a daydream or poor concentration, then the steering wheel or pedals could vibrate to raise the driver’s awareness and re-engage them with driving,” Epple said in a press release.
“If Mind Sense does not detect a surge in brain activity following the car displaying a warning icon or sound, then it could display it again, or communicate with the driver in a different way, to ensure the driver is made aware of a potential hazard.”
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The auto maker is also developing a “wellness seat,” that would use a medical grade sensor embedded in the driver’s seat to monitor the driver’s heartbeat and breathing patterns.
The idea is, once cars become more autonomous, the seat would be able to evaluate whether the driver was in good enough medical condition to be driving.
“Monitoring the physical health of the driver could not only detect the onset of sudden and serious illness that may incapacitate the driver, but also allow the car to monitor driver stress levels,” read the press release.
“This would then allow the car to help reduce stress, for example by changing mood lighting, audio settings and climate control.”
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