Remember we reported on a mind-controlled headset that temporarily slows a vehicle when the driver is distracted? Now, it seems, testing of the Emotiv headset is taking place in conjunction with a Hyundai i40.
14 sensors in the sinister-looking headset monitor a driver’s brain, detecting electrical activity from the frontal, temple, parietal and perceptual areas of your noodle. By monitoring activity in these areas, it’s able to assess whether you’re concentrating on the task at hand or zoning out. If it detects a driver isn’t paying attention, it’ll send a cut-off signal to the car, disengaging the accelerator.
Statistics reinforce just how dangerous distracted driving can be. Road safety charity Brake estimates that 22 per cent of all crashes are the result of driver inattention, while other sources suggests that figure could be as high as 46 per cent.
Furthermore, in 20 per cent of crashes a driver has admitted he or she was looking at the object they collided with before actually doing so. Research from Alberta Transportation of Canada went as far as to claim that distracted drivers are three times more likely to crash than attentive ones.
This isn’t the only system designed to save the bacon of inattentive drivers. Volvo’s Driver Alert Control, for instance, assesses whether you are driving the car in a consistent manner. If it thinks you are not concentrating, it will issue audible and visual signals to warn you it’s time for a break.
BMW and Mercedes use similar systems for monitoring your driving behaviour, while some manufacturers like VW even monitor your eye movement to look for signs of tiredness.
Drivers are advised to take a 15 minute break for every two hours of driving. After all, as our parents wisely said, it’s better to arrive late on earth than early in heaven.
Is monitoring your brain while driving a good or bad idea? We’d love to know your thoughts.
Via: Daily Mail
Image: Emotiv
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