Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Car Seat Prototype Knows When You Are Sleepy
A prototype "smart car seat" that can tell when you are starting to fall asleep has been developed by researchers from Researchers from the University of Tokyo, Oita University, the Shimane Institute of Health Science and Delta Tooling in Japan.
(Smart car seat)
Based upon data collected from 100 sleepy volunteers, the seat contains pressure sensors in the seat base and seat back monitoring pulse and respiration. The system works even when the driver is wearing bulky clothing.
The next step is to design a system that will respond to its own findings by activating a loud alarm. The researchers hope to make the seat available within five years.
The real question for me is this - will this seat be obsolete when it is commercially available? Cars are getting smarter and smarter; see the previous stories on Honda Accord ADAS and the DARPA Urban Challenge For Autonomous Vehicles.
If vehicles that can handle themselves become available soon enough, a "smart car" will just let you sleep, like the Heinlein Camden Speedster:
The car waited for a break in the traffic, then dived into the high-speed stream and hurried north. Mary settled back for a nap.When its setting was about to run out, the car beeped for instructions; Mary woke up and glanced out...
(Read more about the self-steering Camden Speedster)
Update 05-Mar-2017: Check out this alcohol-sensing system from The Game Players of Titan by Philip K. Dick. End update.
Update 05-Nov-2017: Harry Harrison warned about this; see the vehicle sleep sensor from The Velvet Glove (1956). End update.
Story from Smart car seat detects drowsy drivers.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 3/5/2007)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 0 )
Related News Stories - (" Vehicle ")
Engineer Creates Crazy Motorized Track Hospital Bed
The Roujin Z system provides care to fully bedridden patients - and then some!
Xiaomi Self-Driving Self-Balancing Scooter
'Norman... had never ridden any motorized device that lacked onboard steering and balance systems.' - Bruce Sterling, 1998.
AV-STEP To Permit Sale Of Vehicles Without Steering Wheels Or Pedals
'Ames tinkered around with something on the instrument board...' - Miles J. Breuer, 1931.
'Robovan' Name Already Taken - Elon, Try These
There are alternative names that are probably in the public domain by now.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Nuclear Plant Restarted To Power AI To Feed Us Dreams
'...Anything was possible in my imaginary environment.'
SpaceX's Starman Tesla Roadster In Space
'Somewhere in space, a chrome and blue automobile raced the green light of Earth.'
Pivotal Blackfly Electric Aircraft Lifts And Hovers
'That explains how it was so easy for me to remain motionless in midair...'
CORLEO Robotic Horse Concept Looks Ready To Ride
Imagine digging your heels in to a steam horse!
Who First Thought Of A Tin Foil Hat?
'We had discovered that metal was relatively impervious to the telepathic effect.'
Warp Drive Tech Back On The Menu
'Detailed plans for the construction of the Gundstetter-Halone warp drive were flowing.'
Huawei Pura X Folding Phattie Phone
Why can't we get more innovative phone configurations?
Sleep Pods At Daxing International Airport
'Do not waste your priceless company on the unappreciative folds of a sleep pod...'
Robot Baristas Learn Their Trade Without Paying Royalties
'...so we've promised him a generous pension from the royalties.'
JAXA Int Ball 2 Coming Right Along As Star Wars Remote
'Hocus-pocus religions and archaic weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side.'
Robot Bricklayer Or Passer-By Bricklayer?
'Oscar picked up a trowel. 'I'm the tool for the mortar,' the little trowel squeaked cheerfully.'
Robot Gas Station Attendant Pumps Gas For You
'... he waited for the robotrix attendant to finish fueling up his ship.'
Engineer Creates Crazy Motorized Track Hospital Bed
The Roujin Z system provides care to fully bedridden patients - and then some!
Tiny Flying Robot Weighs Just One Gram
'Aerostat meant anything that hung in the air. This was an easy trick to pull off nowadays.'
Some Ringworld Configurations Are Stable
'The Ringworld had no horizon. There was no line where the land curved away from the sky.'
TRANSFORM Dynamic Furniture Concept Becomes What You Need
'An adjustment panel outside the door would cause it to extrude various appurtenances in memory plastic...'
