Losing concentration

Losing concentration while driving can have serious repercussions for drivers and other road users. But the designers of the new Lexus LS 600h have a solution to the problem - they've developed a system that keeps an eye on the driver and his or her concentration levels.

The driver monitoring system forms part of a Pre-Crash Safety (PCS) system which brings together a series of features that can recognise a potentially dangerous situation, help the driver take avoiding action and reduce the risk of a collision happening. If there is an impact, they also work to help minimise the consequences.

The system uses an algorithm to map the position of the driver’s facial features and monitors movement of the driver’s head. A CCD camera is mounted on top of the steering column with six built-in near-infrared LED’s which allow the system to work day and night.

When the vehicle is started up, the system automatically plots the position of the driver’s facial features – eyes, nose and mouth – and measures the width and centre line of the face. If the driver’s head is turned away from the road at an angle of more than 15 degrees when the vehicle is moving and an obstacle is detected ahead, the system automatically activates the Pre-Crash warning buzzer and briefly applies the brakes to warn of the danger.