The DS 9 E-Tense identifies driver fatigue and warns to prevent accidents

Today’s cars come with a wide range of driver assistance systems, commonly known as ADAS. The higher the trim level, the better equipped the car is, and safety improves for both the driver and the passengers. The DS 9 E-Tense has just been presented, and we keep finding interesting features in the top-of-the-range offering from the French premium brand.

One of those features that surprises us is the DS Driver Attention Monitoring system. The French model uses several radars, sensors and cameras to detect everything happening around the vehicle. That includes lane change, forward collision warning, cruise control and many more functions that enhance safety. But the key safety element is still the driver, and this system focuses on exactly that.

Monitoring driver fatigue

The driver is continuously monitored thanks to an infrared camera mounted above the steering wheel and another placed at the top of the windscreen. Both record the driver’s movements and certain patterns to identify fatigue and detect drowsiness or lack of attention.

The cameras analyse blink frequency, gaze direction and head movements. Infrared technology allows the system to work at night and even during the day when sunglasses are worn. Not only that, the system uses the road markings as a reference to check the direction and braking input, so it can detect fatigue and loss of attention. At that point, it sounds an audible alert and displays a visual warning on the central screen.

The system is so precise that even glancing at the mobile phone is interpreted as a loss of attention, and both warnings are triggered, so the driver stays alert or chooses to stop and rest. This system can help considerably to prevent accidents caused by fatigue, something that we already know will become important in the European Union from 2022 onwards.