A simple fatigue condition detection method by using heart rate variability analysis

Abstract

The traffic accident statistics show that fatigue (drowsiness) and drunk driving are the major causes of traffic accidents. Therefore, it is important to detect and prevent driving in fatigue condition. The conventional fatigue detection technologies use methods that detect a driver’s drowsiness from the direction of the face, the eye closing speed, etc., using cameras and various senses. Such technologies, however, are not only expensive but also have positional detection limitations as cameras and sensors are used, thereby restricting the driver’s behavior. In this study, a simple method of detecting fatigue condition based on HRV (Heart Rate Variability) data is presented. The proposed method can greatly reduce the cost of drowsiness prevention system for safe driving. © Springer Science+Business Media Singapore 2016.