Infrared Eyetracker Keeps Drivers Awake at a Fraction of the Cost

By Julie Beck Posted 10.18.2010 at 3:45 pm 6 Comments

The Integrated Eyetracker The Integrated Eyetracker developed by the Fraunhofer IDMT permits contact-free and completely calibration-free 3-D measurement of a person’s line of vision. Fraunhofer IDMT

German researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology have developed an eyetracking device that could soon help keep drowsy drivers alert on the road for a fraction of the cost of existing systems.

The Eyetracker monitors drivers' lines of vision and issues a warning if they appear to be nodding off. After three months of in-car tests, the device will be ready for sale to auto makers, which according to Fraunhofer developer Peter Husar, could be as early as spring of next year.

The Eyetracker costs about one-tenth the price of similar devices, Husar says. These other devices also require complicated calibration to be customized to an individual’s eyes. The Eyetracker uses at least two cameras to record 3-D images and identify any driver’s line of vision without calibration. For increased accuracy, four to six modules can be installed in a vehicle in order to see the eyes in every position.

The image processing is contained within the camera modules and doesn’t require any extra hardware to analyze the 200 frames per second of video it captures. It works with infrared light, so if you start to fall asleep on dimly lit back roads, the Eyetracker is still alert and active. Considering that 62 percent of Americans have reported driving while drowsy, this device could help make those tired morning commutes a little safer.

[Fraunhoffer]

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6 Comments

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benaries

10/18/10 at 4:46 pm

This is very cool -- and certainly eye tracking will be an important technology in the future. However I have to wonder, what does it actually *do?* Sounds an alarm if you dose? How is that different than current head-inclination alarms? Is it going to slam on the brakes?

The reality is, until cars become autonomous, technology will not solve this problem. It comes down to good old fashioned "personal responsibility" on the part of the driver.

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Delkomatic

10/18/10 at 5:57 pm

Not matter the tech we will still have issues until human beings start owning up to what they need to do themselfs to prevent this not what tech can do to help them. We invent these things like falling asleep as the wheel is some diseasae that can't be cured or prevented like idiot drivers that don't know well enough when they should not be driving cuz they are to friggin tired or just suck at driving period. Its called using your friggin head in the first place you know full well you are getting sleepy pull the eff over and rest or have someone else drive. There is your tech.

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thekpv

10/18/10 at 6:11 pm

Thats pretty sweet tech. I wonder if this can be made to fit a bike or electric bike/vehicle

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White King

10/19/10 at 1:16 pm

@thekpv

Hm... What's the use of having it on bike? I didn't hear that anybody fall a sleep driving a bike or bicycle :)

Anyhow, everything that will help me not to fall to sleep is more then welcome (its bloody hard to drive 40km after night shift and not to crash on my driving wheel:)

Maybe best thing for alarm would be damned circus song-theme-whatever. That music gives me the creeps :D
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nightauthor

10/21/10 at 12:38 pm

I have found myself stuck out in the middle of no where late night and I got to get home. I try turning up the music to full blast and putting on something thatll pump me up, but that doesnt work 100% ives only actually closed my eyes a couple of times but something like this would further ensure that I can get home safely on those few occasions.

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Joygazmic

07/16/12 at 1:23 pm

interesting, but not a solution by any means, MOST of the time people are aware that they are too tired, autonomous vehicles are the solution. however, this could perhaps be implemented towards some other purpose?

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