MANTA: Integrated Sensor Embedded Seating Systems and Accessories in Vehicles to Detect Drowsiness of Drivers -

Project Synopsis

The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators indicated in a 2011 report that 21% of motor vehicle accidents in Canada were due to factors contributed by fatigue and drowsiness. Such automotive accidents are a public health issue due to severe impairments and injuries for the victims and fatalities. Additionally, these collisions cause excessive strain on the medical infrastructure and result in increased costs of the healthcare system. In such a situation, the possibility of utilizing technology to forewarn drivers about fatigue and drowsiness would be beneficial to save lives and mitigate motor vehicle accidents. While existing gadgets to monitor drowsiness relies on vehiclebased measures such as camera tracking of eye closures, and seat pressure, there is limited use of physiological signals to detect drowsiness.

Project Objective

It focuses on the development of SmartFabric with the integration of embedded sensor networks into the seating fabric/pliable materials and touchpoints of vehicle control systems to track physiological measures to predict drowsiness in drivers.