FUTURE smart cars will be able to detect if the driver has fallen asleep – thanks to pressure sensors within the steering wheel.
According to Hoffmann + Krippner, their SensoFoil technology allows cars to sense the position of a driver’s hands on the steering wheel. With the addition of pressure sensing, the cars will also be able to sense if the drivers’ hands are no longer moving, whether this is due to the driver falling asleep at the wheel, or the hands falling off the wheel.
Upon detection, smart cars can then take the appropriate action according to in-built safety protocols, either to wake the driver up, or to take control over the vehicle and steer it to a safe stop.
Traffic experts claim that about 25% of all accidents are caused by extreme fatigue while driving. This makes nodding-off, also referred to as “micro-sleep“, in combination with heart attacks, as the leading cause of accidents, exceeding the number of accidents caused by alcohol and drugs.
The sensor can be programmed, so the steering wheel effectively becomes a touch interface for controlling various location, emergency, entertainment or communication systems.
This same feature can be used in game controllers, aircraft, etc., as an economical way to add additional programmable capabilities to a controller or joystick device without the need for extra buttons or dials.
According to Hoffman + Krippner, the SensoFoil technology requires very little external energy since power consumption is very low. It is also insensitive to electromagnetic radiation and therefore ideal for the automotive, aerospace and medical sectors.