The Eyes Have It and Other Tales from the North American Auto Show
DETROIT - In a week where a party snafu forced many Michigan Democrats to check "uncommitted" on their ballots for President of the United States, it was kind of refreshing that there was a clear cut leader at the forefront of automotive safety technology at the North American International Auto Show.
It was very plain to see that when it comes to the high-brow future of automotive safety, the eyes have it. More specifically, eye-gaze technology has it.
"Recognition of the driver's level of attention could assist in avoiding dangerous situations that may lie on the road ahead," said Doug Patton, Senior Vice President of Engineering for DENSO International America during the company's NAIAS press conference.
"We're providing additional eyes to assist drivers' vision and help them drive safely," he said.
Haptic, or touch controls, such as steering wheel buttons that handle audio and climate adjustments have already greatly decreased the amount of head movement that diverts drivers' attention from the road.
But eye-gaze technology aims to further reduce driver mishaps and distractions.
At last year's NAIAS, DENSO unveiled "eye-blink" technology that detected whether a drivers' eye was closed for longer than a half-second, indicating drowsiness or fatigue. Once detected, the system triggers a blast of cool air to the driver's neck and sets off a loud warning sound.
This year, they rolled out their prize eye-gaze system that will go even a step further.
"When you enter the vehicle, a camera scans your eyeballs and registers their movement. Once the individual movement of your pupils is registered, the system can detect whether a driver actually sees things that could be potential hazards," said DENSO Engineer Dr. Naoki Fukaya, Ph.D.
Hmmmm. Actually sees things that could be potential hazards. Like what?
Dr. Fukaya directed this writer to the eye-gaze future safety simulator to demonstrate.
Once inside this half egg-shell-looking machine, equipped with a very large video screen facing me, I was instructed to look straight ahead and let the "hidden camera" register my gaze.
Once registered, the system could sense whether my eyes were away from the road too long. It alerted me that I'd missed the simulation of a child darting into the street as well as a virtual friend lurking behind a building waiting to sprint across the road and join little "make believe" Billy.
The system displayed on the screen which direction my eyes were looking and tracked whether I'd actually seen the posted speed limit sign I just blew by.
Fukaya acknowledged that eye color, whether a driver was wearing glasses or sun shades presented their own "unique" system challenges. But he said where there had previously issues with, for instance, blue-eyed drivers "I've solved that. There is no problem with the system recognizing eye color now."
What about impaired drivers? What if the system recognizes a driver too impaired to be awakened by blasts of cold air or ear-splitting sirens?
"If the customer's technology in the vehicle allows it and they actually want it, I'm sure we can develop a system that handles that function, where the vehicle actually shuts down or doesn't even start if the driver is too drunk or under the influence," Fukaya said.
DENSO's eye-ball gaze technology is, of course, on-going research along with its face (scan) recognition system that provides the vehicle even more information on a driver's head movements.
Progress with those systems is a big reason why Patton and DENSO Executive Vice President Oyuki Ogawa were all smiles for the throng of journalists gathered.
"According to the U.S. Department of Transportation almost half of the 43,000 deaths that occur each year on U.S. highways result from vehicles leaving the road or traveling unsafely through intersections," said Patton.
"Our intent is to expand the horizon of awareness for drivers and provide them necessary information quickly and conveniently.
"There's enough going on outside a vehicle while driving that it is imperative from a safety standpoint to keep the driver's attention on the road even as (they) attempt to operate the many gadgets inside the cabin."
NAIAS Notebook: "Greenest of the Green" Award goes to Chevrolet for their display that was completely made of recycled material. No word on whether the green carpet, staff's shirts or model's dresses were made of recycled material though. That would've been a nice touch.
"Greenest of the Green" Runner-up Award goes to Honda and its on-going drive to carry on Automotive Engineering's "Best Engineered Car of the 20th Century," the 1974 low-emission champion the Civic CVCC. Also Honda rolled out plans to unveil its new Clean Diesel Engine, the I Detech, debuting in the 2009 Acura.
"Best Display Of Public Affection" Award without question goes to Dodge for rolling out its dynamic new Ram pickup with a herd of steers as props. The cattle came complete with a brace of cowboys to keep em in check. At one point the steers actually stole the show as two of them got a bit lovey dovey prompting laughter from the press. Even Chrysler LLC Vice Chairman and President Jim Press had to work at keeping a straight face through his presentation.
"Best Travelin' Man" Award goes to Volkswagen of America President and CEO Stefan Jacoby, who appeared in a pre-recorded video shot in different parts of the country, all at one time it seemed, to unveil the Passat, VW's first four-door coupe.
Jacoby capped off his journey by driving the beautiful new Passat out onto the stage to a sea of flash bulbs.
"Most Distinctive Design" Award to affable Chrysler 300 designer Ralph Gilles, whose throwback black 300M concept vehicle rekindled days of the roofless driver limo. Gilles was asked how he has come up with what is sure to be yet another classic design for one of the company's hottest sellers. "They came to me and said ...Ok, Ralph, what else can you do with the car to make it different," said Gilles, with a glimmer of a smile.
Published on Friday, January 18, 2008 - Email to a friend
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