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A new type of assistance system, designed by Mercedes-Benz to warn the driver of tiredness and the dreaded phenomenon of nodding off at the wheel is now undergoing a final test phase. The system uses various sensors to analyse driving behaviour and recognises tiredness-related changes in the driver’s personal driving style. In this event the driver is prompted to take a break. A warning signal sounds and a symbol in the instrument cluster advises the driver to take a break.
Although pupils analysis systems are also under development, the Mercedes system evaluates a series of indicators in order to assess the alertness of the driver and to recognise the gradual transition between being awake and being tired. During every journey Attention Assist continuously observes the driver’s typical behaviour patterns and uses these to create an individual driver profile which serves as a basis for recognising the symptoms of tiredness. Where there is a significant deviation from the saved empirical values, the system determines whether or not there are signs of encroaching tiredness. Whether and when the driver is warned also depends on the time of day, the duration of the trip and the individual’s driving style.
The values recorded by the tiredness recognition system not only include the speed and the longitudinal and lateral acceleration but also the angle of the steering wheel, the way that the indicators and pedals are used, certain driver control actions and various external influences such as a side wind or an uneven road surface. Observation of the steering behaviour has proven particularly significant: tired drivers can be spotted by a series of typical steering wheel movements which they then immediately correct. The new Mercedes assistance system recognises signs such as these; if the driver’s steering behaviour changes and other indicators also point towards encroaching tiredness, the system outputs a warning at an early stage.
Once all of the tests have been completed, the system will go into series production at Mercedes-Benz in 2009.
Yvonnick Gazeau |
