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Mercedes to offer tiredness detection system in 2009
By Yoann Besnard on 12 December 2007 | 
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Mercedes might become the first car maker to produce a device that detects driver's tiredness as it is undergoing its final test phase.
Dubbed Attention Assist, 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. Unlike other methods of detecting tiredness, 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 system records various data such as the speed, the longitudinal and lateral acceleration, but also the angle of the steering wheel. It also takes into account 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. Several studies revealed that one efficient way to detect tiredness is to focus on the wheel. Indeed, tired drivers can be spotted by a series of typical steering wheel movements.
Mercedes has tested the device over 500,000 kilometres first with the help of a driving simulator located in Berlin and then in real conditions. The final tests will include trials in several climate zones, in city traffic and long distance journeys.
The Attention Assist system will be available in Mercedes cars from 2009.
