The future is now. Technologies designed to analyze human brain waves have been around for a few years now, but aside from games and entertainment, there have been relatively few practical applications for the technology until now. Luxury auto maker Jaguar is building on NASA technology to develop its new Mind Sense system.
Mind Sense technology uses remote sensors to analyze a driver’s brain waves, and the system will issue an alert if the analysis indicates the driver is in a dangerous mental condition (fatigued, daydreaming, etc.)
Details on Jaguar’s Mind Sense technology
Jaguar’s new Mind Sense system requires no equipment and the driver is completely unaware of the brain scan. Brainwaves are usually recorded through sensors in a headband wrapped around the head of a person, but Jaguar decided that simply would not work for luxury-car drivers, so they use NASA-developed sensors that are embedded into the steering wheel of the vehicle to pick up the brainwaves.
If the analysis of the brainwaves indicates that the driver is daydreaming, tired or confused, the steering wheel and brake pedal will vibrate to alert the driver and enable the person to refocus on driving.
Jaguar medical monitoring system
Like several other well-known auto makers, classic luxury car manufacturer Jaguar is working on developing a system of medical sensors in the driver’s seat. This feature is expected to be unveiled soon for the firm’s Jaguar XJ luxury sedan. The system is designed to monitor the heartbeat and breathing patterns of the driver to ascertain alertness and physical health. If the sensor health data indicates that the driver is not alert or falling asleep at the wheel, the system will put out a warning.
The are numerous possibilities for future medical monitoring systems. For example, the system could dim the lighting or play soothing music if it senses driver stress. When cars have self-driving capability in the future, such a system could determine if you’re having a seizure or a heart attack and automatically assume control of the vehicle.
