Huawei patents driver alert system to combat fatigue driving

Beijing (Gasgoo)- On February 20, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.'s patent for "Driver Alert Method and Device" was officially published, according to the Chinese corporate database Qichacha.

Photo credit: Huawei

Fatigue driving remains a significant factor in many traffic accidents. While existing technologies employ driver monitoring systems that primarily rely on facial features and driving data for fatigue detection, they have limitations. Factors such as image clarity and lighting conditions affect facial feature detection, while driving data analysis is influenced by environmental factors, driver skill levels, psychological states, and emotions, making accurate hazard prediction challenging.

To address these issues, Huawei's patent introduces a driver alert method and device. It combines smartwatches, smartphones, and in-vehicle devices to determine the driver's sober period. When the sober period exceeds a certain threshold, the system provides driver alert prompts, reducing the probability of accidents caused by prolonged driver sleep deprivation.

According to the patent summary, the method involves the in-vehicle device receiving first and second sleep data from the driver, with the first sleep data determined and transmitted by the smartwatch to the smartphone. The second sleep data, determined by the smartphone, indicates the driver's sleep periods when not wearing the smartwatch. Subsequently, based on both sets of sleep data, the system determines the driver's period of awareness. If the awareness period equals or exceeds the first threshold, a driver alert prompt is issued.