Driver fatigue warning systems intend to warn the driver when the driver's alertness is below a level that is no longer consistent with safe operation of the vehicle. The device should temporarily enhance driver alertness to avoid a crash situation, but it is not intended to be used by the driver as a means to stay awake over long periods of driving, although it might be used as such. Driver alertness monitors attempt to detect periods of driver impairment due to drowsiness or other lapses of alertness.
The impaired state might be brought on by drowsiness, fatigue, sleep deprivation, or even medication, drug abuse, alcohol, naturally occurring stressors, and environmental factors. Research indicates that drivers are able to recognize their drowsy condition but are not good at recognizing the point of sleep onset. These devices provide the driver with an aid for recognizing this condition.
Driver fatigue warning systems may significantly contribute to traffic safety. The successful implementation, however, is not only influenced by the state of technology but also by a variety of social and institutional conditions.
The aim of the AWAKE project is not only to demonstrate the technological feasibility of driver vigilance monitoring systems but also to explore the non-technical issues that may influence the success of implementing these systems in real life traffic.
AWAKE intends to develop an unobtrusive, reliable system, which will monitor the driver and the environment and will detect in real time hypo-vigilance, based on multiple parameters.
Key results included:
- AWAKE has developed the state-of-the-art basis where further major research is already initiated.
- AWAKE devoted a great effort on developing an integrated combined driver fatigue monitoring system.
- AWAKE developed integrated professional and marketable HMI elements.
- AWAKE is the bridge from driving simulator environments to real road environments using three different demonstrator prototypes, enhancing the market potentials of such systems.
- Enhancing Road Safety and contribute by a significant percentage to reduction of fatigue related road accidents.