Eyetracker Could Prevent Sleepy Drivers from Causing Car Crashes

A new monitor system called the Eyetracker sounds an alarm to prevent drivers from falling asleep at the wheel.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on October 22 2010

Ever felt yourself start nodding off while driving? Many of us have come close to falling asleep behind the wheel—and the condition can often be fatal: researchers estimate that drowsiness may be responsible for 18% of all fatal car collisions.

Now, the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology has come up with a simple solution to this dangerous problem: a camera monitor known as the Eyetracker. In the system, cameras monitor the drivers’ eyes to monitor whether they close for longer than a normal blink. If it senses sleepiness, it sounds off an alarm that’s sure to wake the driver up.

The system is still in development stages, but isn’t likely to be too far from the market, and should be simple to install in any vehicle. We imagine it could be a worthwhile investment for long-haul truckers and others who spend many hours on the road. Hopefully, with help from the Eyetracker, we’ll see far fewer car crashes in the near future.

Filed under: Science,

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