The sensor system detects electrical signals generated by human touch to determine the position of the driver’s hands on the steering wheel
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The system can detect hand positions with high precision and works in darkness, bright sunlight and varying weather conditions, according to the researchers. “Without needing visual images, the interface can instantly detect where exactly your hands are placed around the wheel, how firmly or lightly you are holding it and whether you are driving with two hands, one hand, or no hands for an extended period of time,” said Vijayakumar. The researchers said the technology could be used to provide warnings when unsafe one-handed driving, distraction or fatigue is detected. The technology also has potential applications beyond automobiles and it could be used in helper robots to detect human contact and in smart ICU beds to monitor patient movements and weight shifts and alert healthcare staff to possible fall risks, according to researchers.
Palakkad : Researchers at IIT Palakkad have developed a touch-sensing system that can detect hand positions and grip patterns on a vehicle’s steering wheel without using cameras. The system, developed by associate professor Sreenath Vijayakumar and technical superintendent Pinku Sebastian from the institute’s department of electrical engineering, is aimed at improving driver safety while addressing privacy concerns associated with camera-based monitoring. The sensor system uses thin sensor strips placed on surfaces such as steering wheels. It detects electrical signals generated by human touch to determine the position of the driver’s hands. The team developed a prototype steering wheel fitted with the sensors and tested its performance under different conditions. Unlike camera-based systems, the touch-sensing technology does not capture images of the driver or surroundings and is designed to be lightweight and relatively inexpensive. Download the TOI App.