Prototype of a driver alerting device

prototype version 1

prototype version 2 'the rooster'

The problem
Many accidents are caused by driver sleepiness victimizing the conductor, passengers, people in near distance vehicles and pedestrians. The use of stimulating beverages and drugs makes things worse, as it leads to a false sensation of overcoming fatigue.

Currently available solution
Most fatigue detection systems analyse data such as digital images of eyelid, head and gaze movements, facial expressions, lane changing, etc in order to detect a driver's drowsiness condition, and then they sound an alarm. However, this approach may not be as effective when the alarm comes too late to avoid an accident, aside the high costs involved with such systems.

The proposed solution
This device is a simple low-cost solution to prevent accidents caused by sleepiness. It simply triggers a periodic sequence of sound tones and colorful lights based on the natural fatigue process of the brain, stimulating one's alerteness throughout the entire trip (no feedback required).

The idea behind it
I became interested in the problem during car trips while observing my own attention levels decrease in time as I was driving along the road. Those observations inspired me to learn more about the mental fatigue process. I found out that this mental fatigue is caused by periodical three-stage anxiety cycles due to:
1. physical fatigue
2. recall of concerns before the trip and/or activities to follow at the destination
3. memory retention of these thoughts

These cycles cause loss of attention levels overtime. I then realized that the attention levels could be maintained for longer periods by periodically interrupting this anxiety cycle with an alert signal with the same duration, based on the bioelectric activity of the brain.

Design concept
This device has a simple electronic circuit in it that controls a panel containing three LEDs in the bottom and a bar of eight LEDs in the middle, as well as a sound generator (please see the photo at end of this text). The sequence is first triggered by the vehicle ignition and then periodically as time elapses. The LEDs present the colour range of the visual spectrum with a delay in blue to stimulate alertness. The sound tones are progressive notes covering one octave of the musical scale. It can be deployed to any panel or display, however it shall be installed within driver's sight.

Market potential
This driver alerting device may be adopted as a security feature in most transportation organizations or in the automotive/machinery industry.

Implementation
Manufacturing will depend on the product requirements:
• As a standalone device, it can be simply implemented using a cheap microcontroller, LEDs and parts widely available at very low costs
• As a feature embedded in the vehicle systems

Applications 
•Standalone device
•Embedded in the vehicle's Instruments Cluster, ADAS, navigation and infotainment systems
•Fleet management: reports of driver sleepiness condition (activation logs; activation intervals considering data from driver’s profile and time of day; alert goes off upon pre-determined events; drowsiness occurrences per day; etc)

Improvements
• Adition of other types of stimuli (ex. vibration)
• Configuration app
• Integration with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)
• Integration with Fatigue Risk Management Systems
• Validation
• Development of specific FPGA/ASIC applications

Summary
This driver alerting device is a low-cost solution to prevent accidents caused by drowsiness and loss of attention in many human activities. The main idea is simply recall one's attention by triggering an alert pattern of lights and sounds based on the brain's bioelectric activity. It can be deployed in many situations where high attention levels for longer periods are required as in driving and other types of machinery operation.

Author: Mauricio Santos Pupo, Electrical Engineer, M.Sc.
physiocadential@gmail.com
See project Pitch

Prototype of a sleeping / awakening clock

sleeping clock prototype by Project Physiocadential

 

Software version

Mission: promote the wellbeing by offering devices for soothing anxiety symptoms like insomnia, drowsiness and sleep inertia, based on music therapy and rhythm entrainment.

About the problem

Modern life stressful activities, daily chores and technological gadgets are constantly withdrawing one's attention for increasingly longer periods. For many people, anticipating thoughts of forthcoming activities often come to mind at bed time, bringing with them worries and anxiety that prevent proper relaxation for a good sleep condition (i.e. insomnia).

Currently available solutions

Traditionally sleeping problems are treated with drugs / sleeping pills, proper sleep hygine or alternative techniques like meditation.

Proposed solution

A bedtime device that offers light and sound patterns to capture one´s attention and prevent disturbing thoughts that inhibit sleep. For those lacking regular sleeping hours like shift workers or travelers (jet-lag), it will also help falling asleep quickly and naturally.

Description of the design

The light panel displays a series of colored blinking LEDs accompanied by notes of the harmonic scale, offering a cadential rhythm-based motion that syncronizes with the brain bioelectric activity. The LEDs are placed strategically underneath a translucent panel depicting a human figure, signaling the proper flow of energy through the body as the LEDs and sounds go off. A microcontrolled circuit holds the proper programming for the blinking sequence, intervals and notes generation.

Application

The light panel can be deployed on any display such as picture holders, wall frames, alarm clocks, software and apps.

The idea behind it

This sleeping device is based on a music therapy technique that synchronizes internal body rhythm with external stimuli (a.k.a. entrainement).

Market potential

Considering that a large part of the population is affected by insomnia, this sleeping device will certainly be beneficial to many people. As the cadence becomes internalized over time, a significant reduction of insomnia caused by anxiety can be achieved. In fact, it has been considered effective by most people who have volunteered to test it, actually soothing sleeping problems.

Improvements

Validation and further research may be conducted in fields related to the human health, investigating the therapeutic use of this device against a broader range of anxiety symptoms.

Integration

A bedside clock has been designed as a comprehensive mechanism for soothing sleeping / awakening issues, integrating both sleeping / awakening functions while embedding easily into one's daily routine. Similar devices are being developed to alert people while executing tedious tasks like driving a vehicle or working on a production line, improving awareness, concentration and alertness by offering gentle but energetic signals. 

Author: Mauricio Santos Pupo
physiocadential@gmail.com
see the project Pitch