New technology to help drowsy drivers

USA Today ^ | 4/8/04 | John Porretto, Associtated Press

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Volvo is trying to retain its image as a leader in safety with new technology designed to help drowsy drivers. Volvo and its owner, Ford, released results of a study on the problem Wednesday at the New York Auto Show and announced plans for the technology to be included in Volvo cars and SUVs before the end of the decade. Because the features are still several years from being offered in cars for sale, Ford was cagey about details for competitive reasons. It described a few different products that had been developed and were being considered as options.

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"tested computerized optical scanning"
"the vehicle would actually adjust the steering automatically"
"automakers have studied systems that use cameras to scan drivers' eyes or sense when they're loosening their grip on the steering wheel beyond normal."
"We're confident we can do it in ways that drivers will accept"...Yep, by LAW

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Wait a minute! How did DoD get into this? So we went from drowsy drivers to multi-wavelength imaging missile seekers, battlefield chemical sensors, optical identification of friend or foe, and laser threat warning receivers?

What is this technology? Virtual Retinal Display (VRD) Technology Other members of Integrated Small Precision Optics Manufacturing Technology Consortium (ISPOMT) include the University of Washington/Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HITL), Polaroid Corporation (NYSE:PRD), Ford Motor Company, and New Interconnection and Packaging Technologies, Inc. (NIPT). The U.S. Office of Naval Research assisted in bringing the ISPOMT team together.

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PING!