Can technology be the superhero of human fallability?
Victoria Laxton from TRL explores the potential of fatigue detection systems and technologies in transport domains.
Unresponsive driver intervention is a critical concern in the development of active safety systems for passenger cars. Drowsiness and attention detection systems are equipped with sensors and steering wheel analysis to monitor a driver’s attentiveness and warn them to take a break when necessary.
Fatigue detection technology, initially designed to safeguard drivers on the road, could be an innovation that will enhance safety, performance and safeguarding in many roles by improving vigilance and prompting faster response times. In the transport sector, LGV and HGV drivers, bus and coach operators, train conductors, and small ship captains, are obvious candidates. But so are pilots controlling delivery drones, and even the emerging role of remote vehicle operators, who are expected to take control of an autonomous vehicle with no-user-in-charge (NUIC) at any given time.