Commercial Solutions - Driver Drowsiness Detection: Systems and Solutions - page 21

evaluates steering wheel movements along with other signals in the vehicle on
motorways and others roads at speeds in excess of 65 km/h, and calculates a
fatigue estimate. If fatigue is detected, the driver is warned by information in
the multi-function display and an acoustic signal. The warning is repeated after
15 min if the driver has not taken a break.

3.2 Independent Products

In addition to driver alert technologies developed by auto manufacturers, similar
systems are available to the owners of older vehicles through the aftermarket. Some
aftermarket driver alert systems include:

￿ EyeTracker: This system was created by the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital

Media Technology in Germany [ 2 ]. It consists of at least two cameras because
stereoscopic vision is an essential part of the detection method. It is presented
as a small modular system completely independent of the car being used.
The employed tracking strategy allows for determining spatial position of the
eyes and easy calculation of the direction of driver's gaze.

￿ Anti Sleep Pilot: This is the only system to date that combines subjective

methods with vehicle-based methods in one system [ 6 ]. It consists of a small
device that is easily mountable on the car's dashboard. It requires from a driver
to take a questionnaire prior to the trip, which will create the driver's personal risk
profile and prior fatigue status. Additionally, it monitors driving through various
built-in sensors. The alertness level is constantly monitored by an alertness
maintaining test that prompts the driver to respond to audiovisual cues from the
device.

￿ Seeing Machines DSS: This is a product of Seeing Machines Ltd., specifically

modified for use in vehicle systems. It uses a small, dashboard-mounted, camera
for eye behavior tracking [ 1 ].

￿ Takata SafeTrak: This system by Takata corporation consists of a small video

camera, which provides input to a sophisticated machine vision software in order
to monitor the road ahead and warn drivers if they unintentionally leave their lane
or if their driving pattern starts to indicate erratic behavior [ 7 ].

￿ Nap Zapper: This is an inexpensive and simple device, mounted over the driver's

ear (it has the size of a typical external hearing aid) [ 5 ]. At its core lies an
electronic position sensor that detects when the driver's head nods forward and
sounds an audio alarm. This device might prove useful in certain situations such
as long distance driving on monotonous, straight roads.