Netradyne, a SaaS provider of artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing, has launched its latest Driver Drowsiness with Driver Monitoring System (DMS) Sensor. Netradyne's third-generation drowsiness detection technology can now identify early-stage drowsiness.

Building on years of sleep research and a vast dataset, Netradyne said its latest sensor detects signs of early-stage drowsiness, enabling proactive intervention and significantly reducing the risk of collisions.

This innovation comes just ahead of the National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, Nov. 3-9. With this newest solution, Netradyne said fleets can:

• Save lives

• Mitigate risk and improve road safety

• Reduce liability and litigation costs, producing ROI faster

Detecting Microsleeps & Preventing Crashes

Netradyne said a lack of sleep can cause microsleeps, usually lasting four to five seconds. According to the NHTSA, vehicles running 55 miles per hour can travel 100 yards before drivers wake from their microsleep. 

Data from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) indicated that 10-20% of severe collisions are due to driver drowsiness. Netradydne said legacy drowsy detection systems have attempted to address this silent killer by taking a narrow view of drowsiness and decreased performance when it counts—in low light at night.

“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,” said Adam Kahn, Netradyne president.

Detecting Early- & Late-Stage Drowsiness

The sensor detects both early and late stages of drowsiness, as defined in academic research. Netradyne said the new sensor provides drivers with an early warning and predicts future acute drowsiness. In addition, the sensor is sensitive to low light at night and can detect drowsiness even if the driver is wearing sunglasses.

The company said this solution enables timely and precise alerts by accurately detecting subtle microbehaviors indicative of drowsiness like: 

• Microsleeps (eye closures)

• Blink measurements

• Percentage of eye closure over time (PERCLOS)

Additionally, the company said the new system's ability to discern varying levels of drowsiness allows for more tailored and urgent responses. Optimized installation placement and seamless integration with the Driver-i system, complete with multi-camera views, contribute to a comprehensive and reliable driver monitoring solution, Netradydne said.

“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,” said Kahn. “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.” 

Incorporating Outward-Facing Cameras

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, Netradyne said. Progressive drowsy detection empowers managers to intervene effectively. Advanced drowsy driving detection offers drivers early warnings, enabling them to take immediate steps to prevent accidents and promote road safety, the company added.

Netradyne’s Driver Drowsiness with DMS Sensor solution is available in the US on a limited basis, as an add-on with Netradyne’s D-450.