EEG Headrests Helping Drivers Stay Focused on the Road?

For years, drivers have take head restraints for granted, often erroneously believing they are there to rest one’s head against, instead of to prevent whiplash in a rear-end collision.  But a company called Freer Logic wants to move head restraints forward into the 21^st century, by using them to monitor drivers’ brains through the use of their EEG headrests.

Their prototype head restraints use non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) technology to detect a driver’s brain activity and determine whether he or she is truly focused on the road.  If the system sees the driver becoming distracted or drowsy, it could alert the driver to this fact, helping to reduce road risk.

For example, the system could sound an audible alert, or vibrate a part of the car to alert the driver, such as the steering wheel or seat.

Though more testing is needed, Free Logic seems to have identified a possible way to help drivers quickly know when their risk has increased, and trigger warnings so that drivers can return their full attention to the road, or even take a break when needed.

More info at http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/eeg-car-headrest/