Jaguar has started trials for "Mind Sense", a research project aimed at monitoring the driver's concentration through measuring brain waves. The project is the brainchild of a collaboration of top minds from various fields, such as aerospace and sports medicine. "We believe some of the technologies currently being used in aerospace and medicine could help improve road safety and enhance the driving experience. The car is becoming more intelligent and more able to utilise cutting-edge sensors. These research projects are investigating how we could exploit this for the benefit of our customers and other road users," said Dr Wolfgang Epple, director of research and technology for Jaguar Land Rover.
It should be noted that the brain generates at least four different and distinct brainwaves, all of which function at their individual frequencies. Deducing the dominant brainwaves will allow the system to assess whether the driver is daydreaming, distracted, sleepy or focused.
Aside from concentration,"Mind Sense" also monitors a driver's breathing, heart rate, levels of stress that are identified through brain activity and fatigue. The team of experts, which Jaguar put together, is also reported to have been experimenting on ways that will lessen a lot of drivers' tendency to take their eyes off the road. This goes together with their efforts to have "Mind Sense" system communicate with the driver using vibrations and pulses through the petals and the steering wheel.
However, the project is facing a big roadblock. Jaguar's innovative project needs to find a way around the use of headbands for brainwave monitoring. The headbands are both uncomfortable and impractical. The car manufacturer is currently turning to NASA to, possibly, address the issue using the aeronautics institution's method of developing pilot concentration, which is also put to use by the United States' bobsleigh team.
The tangible proposal, which Jaguar Land Rover is conducting trials on, is to have the brain wave sensors embedded in the steering wheel. If successful, Jaguar's version of a smart car, fitted with "Mind Sense", will be able to deduce several details through brainwaves. For instance, it will know when a driver is stressed and can adjust several aspects of the vehicle, such as lighting, to help the driver cope with the said stress.
