Toyota Shows Mood Sensing Car Electronics

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Toyota has developed a prototype of a mood sensing system for the car that uses sensors to determine if the driver is happy, sad, angry or neutral because one’s mood can affect one’s driving.

Toyota mood carAn upset driver is less alert and his reaction times are slower.  So the system will deliver warnings such as a pedestrian alert earlier.  It could even take control over car functions like the braking.

Also, the technology can be used to improve safety systems, so if the driver is looking in one direction, the system can alert him to a road hazard spotted in the opposite direction.

The sensors take readings from 238 points on the driver’s face (so it can overcome impediments like a beard or sunglasses).

In the future, the car will be able to decipher if a driver is looking at his phone or radio, so it can deliver a warning or help the driver stay focused.  Or it can light up the controls of a device that the driver is looking at.

Toyota told UK publication What Car?, that research on the technology should be completed in 2-3 years and the technology could be implemented in cars in 6 years or earlier.

Source:  What Car? via Motor Authority

Photo via What Car?

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