Jaguar Develops Technology to Warn Motorists of Fatigue

Falling asleep at the wheel can be fatal. Research indicates that in the UK, 1 in 8 drivers have admitted to falling asleep while driving. The cause of up to 25 percent of fatal accidents is sleepiness. As part of the company’s efforts to enhance the safety of its drivers and passengers, Jaguar has developed a new technology called Driver Condition Monitor, which will alert the driver if it detects any signs of drowsiness. The technology leverages inputs from thousands of data points, and these measurements are sometimes made every thousandth of a second to determine if the driver is alert or not. The data points include the Electronic Power Assisted Steering system, pedal inputs and general driving behaviour. The system uses complex algorithms to analyse the data effectively and thus determine if the driver is too tired to drive.

The Driver Condition Monitor will be available as a standard feature on the E-PACE and across the Jaguar range. It will warn the driver on an early basis of the need to take a break. The E-PACE’s instrument cluster displays a coffee-cup icon and sounds an alert when the system warns that action is needed.

Commenting on the technology, Edmund King, Director of the AA Charitable Trust, the UK’s largest motoring organization said that statistics about drowsiness in drivers is highly shocking, especially in view of the fact that it is an under-reported issue. He felt that any step taken to reduce the risk of tired drivers on the road like Jaguar’s Driver Condition Monitor is a welcome one.

King added, “The only real cure for tiredness is to rest – if drivers feel tired, or are alerted to possible tiredness by their car, they should pull over at the next safe place, drink a caffeinated drink and take a short nap.”

David Willey, Assisted and Automated Driving Attributes Senior Manager, Jaguar, said Jaguar continuously reviews the latest advances in vehicle safety and develops innovative technologies to enhance the driving experience, so that driving is safer and more enjoyable. Driver Condition Monitor in addition to a range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are available as standard across the Jaguar range.

The Jaguar E-PACE also features a wide range of other advanced driver assistance systems that increase safety for the driver and occupants. Standard features on all Jaguar models include Automated Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Cruise Control with Speed Limiter, front and rear parking aid and a rear facing camera.