IIT Madras IntelliSeat Can Detect Driver Fatigue and Alert Them Before It Becomes Dangerous

The seat seems like a normal driver's seat, except it contains some sensors that detect the presence and movement of the driver.

Fatigue detected by body movement: When a driver becomes tired, their body gradually relaxes, and their weight distribution on the seat changes. IntelliSeat detects this change.

According to scientists, prolonged driving increases fatigue in the back and shoulder muscles, which also affects the driver's sitting posture.

Scientists have also used technology such as surface electromyography (sEMG) to understand muscle activity. This helps assess fatigue levels by reading the very subtle electrical signals generated in the muscles.

The seat doesn't immediately sound a loud alarm. When fatigue decreases, a warning light illuminates on the dashboard. When fatigue increases, the driver is alerted by a sound.

When the situation becomes critical, the seat vibrates, providing a physical warning to the driver. In the most serious situations, the vehicle or fleet owner can also receive a notification through a connected mobile app, allowing the driver to stop and rest.

IntelliSeat can be installed in multiple vehicles and does not require any modifications to the vehicle's main computer system.

The seat's sensors activate as soon as the vehicle is started. Data from the seat can also help fleet operators understand driving patterns and risky routes.