NeuroSky, a San Jose technology company, may have developed a gadget that can help warn drivers who are nodding off - a tool that could save lives and prevent injury by decreasing the number of drivers who fall asleep at the wheel, causing accidents.
The company, which develops technologies to read brain waves, has developed sensors that can determine whether a person’s brain is starting to slip into sleep. As a human being starts to fall asleep, his or her brain waves change in distinctive ways. These changes can be sensed by computer technology. Many doctor’s offices and hospitals already use similar sensors to diagnose brain conditions like seizure disorders or sleep disorders.
Now, however, NeuroSky suggests that these sensors could be placed in the headrest of a car. There, they monitor the driver’s brain wave activity. If the driver’s brain waves start to change into distinctive “sleep mode” waves, the car can alert the driver by sounding an alarm or using a similar kind of signal. According to tech blog ubergizmo.com, NeuroSky has already suggested its idea to several automakers, who may be interested in testing the sensors for use in future vehicles.
Driver fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel accounts for thousands of car accidents each year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. When the driver i behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle like a semi truck or bus, the stakes are even higher. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced San Jose car crash injury attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates. We’ll help you understand your legal rights and options and take the next step for your needs. To learn more, cal us today at (877) 862-6228 for a free consultation.
