Netradyne
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Netradyne upgrades driver drowsiness detection

Oct. 31, 2024
Third-generation sensor and camera safety technology helps commercial fleets mitigate deadly issues that lead to 40% of all heavy truck crashes.

Netradyne recently introduced a “cutting-edge” Driver Drowsiness with Driver Monitoring System (DMS) sensor designed to outperform industry standards in detecting and addressing drowsy driving.

Building on years of sleep research and a data, Netradyne's third-generation drowsiness detection technology now can identify early-stage drowsiness, the company reported. Unlike existing solutions that only detect severe or acute drowsiness, this new technology enables proactive intervention, reducing the risk of collisions.

The launch coincides with the national Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, set for Nov. 3-9.

“Despite 95% of Americans recognizing the danger of drowsy driving, a majority still engage in this risky behavior, according to National Sleep Foundation (NSF) data. The risk is compounded for those whose livelihoods depend on driving,” Adam Kahn, Netradyne president, said in a news release. “We put drivers first, so we had to get this right by developing a precise sensor to avoid false alerts without compromising drivers’ road safety. Unlike other offerings on the market that come with subjectivity, Netradyne’s DMS sensor is grounded in science that’s objective and measurable.

“Our comprehensive solution will give drivers and safety managers peace of mind that drowsy driving incidents will be prevented.”

With this solution that provides drivers with precision alerts that empower drivers to prevent collisions, fleets can:
  • Save lives
  • Mitigate risk and improve road safety
  • Reduce liability and litigation costs and see an ROI faster

A lack of sleep can cause microsleeps, usually lasting 4-5 seconds. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vehicles running 55 mph can travel 100 yards before drivers wake from their microsleep. The impact of this issue is grave, with data from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) indicating 10-20% of severe collisions are due to driver drowsiness. Legacy drowsy detection systems have attempted to address this silent killer with a narrow view of drowsiness and decreased performance when it counts—in low light at night.

The sensor works to detect both early and late stages of drowsiness as defined in research in academic literature. This allows Netradyne to provide early warning to drivers and predict future acute drowsiness. In addition, the sensor is sensitive to work under low light at night and can detect drowsiness even if the driver is wearing sunglasses.

The technology detects subtle micro-behaviors indicative of drowsiness like microsleeps (eye closures), blink measurements, and percentage of eye closure over time (PERCLOS) that can objectively detect the onset of drowsiness. Additionally, its ability to discern varying levels of drowsiness allows for more tailored and urgent responses. Optimized installation placement and seamless integration with the Driveri system, complete with multi-camera views, contribute to a comprehensive and reliable driver monitoring solution.

In addition to in-cab views, the solutions utilize outward-facing cameras to assess road behaviors like lane departure that may contribute to detecting drowsiness, providing a holistic view and situational context. Using the data gathered, managers can better understand drowsy driving behavior patterns, helping inform and focus coaching sessions and develop adjusted schedules based on data, alleviating the potential for risky situations.

Progressive drowsy detection empowers managers to intervene effectively. Advanced drowsy

This Driver Drowsiness with DMS sensor is available in the U.S. as an add-on with Netradyne’s D-450.

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BT staff