6 November 2015 - By Eugene Herbert
Hi Folks …
Following on from last weeks’ newsletter
on the true extent of a distracted driving action we share some positive
comments on dealing with this challenge, particularly from a cognitive
perspective.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has
announced it has developed a technology to detect absent-mindedness and other
cognitive distractions in drivers when their vehicles are traveling straight,
using a type of machine-learning algorithm known as deep learning. The company
believes this is a first in the automotive industry.
Although systems exist to detect drivers
who are visually distracted due to drowsiness or inattentiveness, the detection
of cognitive distractions has been difficult because symptoms sometimes appear
in a driver’s behaviour or biological patterns, rather than in their face or
eye movements. Mitsubishi Electric said its new technology uses a
machine-learning algorithm to analyse time-series data, including information
about the vehicle (steering, etc.) and driver (heart rate, facial orientation,
etc.), to detect and warn drivers about potentially dangerous indications.
The machine-learning algorithm uses a
combination of data on “normal driving” and time-series data on the actual
vehicle and driver to predict appropriate driver actions in real time. The
technology detects cognitive distractions if the driver’s actions differ
drastically from the algorithm-based prediction of what would be appropriate.
If a distraction is detected, the driver is alerted immediately about their
potentially dangerous driving, according to the company.
The technology was displayed at the 44th
Tokyo Motor Show 2015.
Technologies for detecting cognitively
and visually distracted driving are expected to be installed in driver sensing
units sold commercially from around 2019 or beyond, according to the company.
Until that happens drivers should take
cognizance of how serious a problem DWD is and therefore be committed to
avoiding behaviour that would compromise safe driving.
Till next time - Drive Safe and stay off
the phone.
Eugene Herbert
