Driver-monitoring systems (DMS) became mandatory this year in all new vehicle models sold in Europe; DMS inclusion gets points towards a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, and poor DMS safety performance is in American news lately. Clearly, it’s a hot topic.
DMS is basically using a camera and sensors to track driver attention level through eye or eyelid movements. As soon as we have a DMS in the vehicle, it opens opportunity for different multimodal Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) strategies for safer driver driving and personalized comfort and wellness.
DMS can identify the driver and enable personalization to automatically adjust the seat, temperature, side mirror, etc., to the driver’s preferences. The systems will be able to identify a driver compromised by impairment, fatigue, or medical emergency. A variety of DMS technology developments and first applications have been reported here in DVN Interior since the beginning.
DMS is also crucial for making the jump to L3 automated driving (‘conditional automation’; the driver can take their hands off the steering wheel, but must keep their attention on the road in case they need to resume control). DMS plays a critical role in making sure the driver is alert and attentive.
This opens new horizons to HMI with more personalization and automated adjustments, allowing the driver to focus on what is important. You’ll learn much more in the HMI/Smart Surfaces session of the upcoming DVN Interior Workshop, which is now just three weeks away—time to register, and take a look at the docket. The event will include the results of our newsletter survey; speaking of that, it’s time to vote on question 7.
Sincerely yours,
