Development of drowsiness detection system

The development of technologies for preventing drowsiness at the wheel is a major challenge in the field of accident avoidance systems. Preventing drowsiness during driving requires a method for accurately detecting a decline in driver alertness and a method for alerting and refreshing the driver. As a detection method, the authors have developed a system that uses image processing technology to analyze images of the driver´s face taken with a video camera. Diminished alertness is detected on the basis of the degree to which the driver´s eyes are open or closed. This detection system provides a noncontact technique for judging various levels of driver alertness and facilitates early detection of a decline in alertness during driving