Fujitsu FEELythm deciphers driver drowsiness

Fujitsu is clearly excited by the prospect of wearable tech - last week we brought you news of the Japanese company's “ring-type” device that's capable of text input using just a single finger - and now there's news of a pulse-tracking wearable designed to make the roads a safer place.

The Fujitsu Vehicle ICT FEELythm system is deigned for haulage companies and fleets of truckers but the idea could just as easily be implemented in the consumer market, as it's based on a hive technology whereby the more people that use it and the more information the system gathers, the more effective it is.

Let's rewind...the Fujitsu FEELythm is a band worn around a driver's neck that has sensors that clip on his earlobes. Pulse is monitored and, using the platform's algorithm, driver drowsiness is detected and a notification system is alerted.

Not only is the driver warned but a supervisor will also receive data from his whole team.

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"In the near future, it will be possible to improve safe-driving management by predicting dangers before they occur based on an accumulation of sensor data indicating fatigue, stress, and tension, and applying that to a hazard map," claim Fujitsu, highlighting that, while a commercial product for now, the platform's mass consumer appeal is obvious.

The system is Japan only for now, and will go live in March.