New in-car artificial intelligence (AI) technology could help prevent distracted and drowsy drivers from causing accidents.
Affectiva Automotive AI analyses the faces and voices of drivers and passengers to understand their emotional and cognitive states.
Its developer, AI software specialist Affectiva, says the technology can identify complex driver impairment states caused by drowsiness, physical distraction or mental distraction from cognitive load or anger, while current systems rely on simplistic head pose and eye gaze measurements.
The solution allows for in-cabin tracking of all occupants simultaneously, measuring critical facial expressions and emotions such as joy, anger and surprise, as well as vocal expressions of anger, arousal and laughter. It also analyses key indicators of drowsiness such as yawning, eye closure and blink rates.
This data can be used by manufacturers and suppliers to feed into advanced driver monitoring and vehicle safety systems, and to provide differentiated in-car experiences.
Affectiva is working with leading car makers and technology providers to bring its Automotive AI solution to production vehicles.
Its partners include automotive safety supplier Autoliv, whose Learning Intelligent Vehicle (LIV) is designed to shape consumer acceptance of autonomous vehicles by building two-way trust and confidence between human and machine.
“Supported by Affectiva’s AI, LIV is able to sense driver and passenger moods, and interact with human occupants accordingly,” said Ola Boström, vice president of research at Autoliv. “As the adoption and development of autonomous vehicles continues, the need for humans to trust that they’re safe at the hands of their vehicle will be critical. AI systems like Affectiva’s that allow vehicles to really understand occupants, will have a huge role to play, not only in driver safety but in the future of autonomy.”
Tags: AI, Connected Consumer, autonomous vehicles, intelligent transport systems, artficial intelligence
