AI Drowsiness Detection: Bluekeye Takes a Big Step Towards Automotive Safety

The validation test was conducted in Blueskeye’s driving simulator, which consisted of an Audi TT car surrounded by a curved screen. Twenty drivers participated in the test, spending up to an hour engaging in a monotonous driving task of following a car on a motorway. At five-minute intervals, they were asked to assess their level of tiredness using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale.

The algorithms used by Blueskeye’s machine learning technology were compared with the drivers’ self-assessments of tiredness. These algorithms utilized Near Infra-Red cameras mounted in the car’s left and right pillars to capture and analyze eye, head, and facial muscle movement multiple times per second, identifying early signs of fatigue.

Reports suggest that the machine assessments of tiredness met the EU’s threshold of 40% sensitivity, indicating that the system is capable of detecting when a driver is drowsy and meeting the standard required by the EU for new cars.

Blueskeye’s Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Michel Valstar, expressed his ultimate goal of helping automotive manufacturers develop vehicles that can respond to occupants’ emotions using AI face and voice analysis through existing vehicle cameras and microphones. This technology validation for driver drowsiness and attention shows the effectiveness of Bluekeye’s underlying technology, positioning them well to assist clients in meeting future legislative demands like the EU’s Euro NCAP Vision 2030.

Dr. David R Large, a Senior Research Fellow in the Human Factors Research Group at Oxford University, highlighted the benefits of collaboration with commercial companies like Bluekeye as an opportunity to apply academic expertise and facilities to solve real-world challenges. This collaboration reflects the ongoing evolution of the automotive industry, with a need for new technology to enhance safety and sustainability. Participants in the study responded positively to the idea of their cars monitoring them for signs of drowsiness and intervening if necessary, indicating potential receptiveness to such safety measures in the future.