Car Makers Explore EEG Headrests

mrtr writes "A number of car makers are looking at whether EEG devices built into headrests could prevent accidents by sensing when a driver is in danger of drifting off. The technology comes from Neurosky, which already makes commercial EEG units for use in gaming and market research. Other approaches, such as using cameras to spot drooping eyelids, have proven too unreliable so far. From the story: 'Fatigue causes more than 100,000 crashes and 40,000 injuries, and around 1,550 deaths, per year in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some studies suggest drowsiness is involved in 20 to 25 percent of all crashes on monotonous stretches of road.'"

Magical electrodes

[EdZ]

Wait, they expect a set of dry electrodes positioned vaguely near the back of a persons head trying to record and distinguish brainwaves to be MORE reliable than the camera system? It's hard enough to get a reliable and accurate read with wet-contact electrodes through hair!