AI mood detection in cars could de-stress driving
Image credit: Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com
British car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) are developing a new artificial intelligence (AI)-based system capable of detecting the mood of a driver and adjusting the car’s environment to reduce stress whilst on the road.
The firm has developed a mood detection system, which uses a driver-facing camera and biometric sensing, to monitor the person behind the wheel. This system is able to alter cabin features such as heating and ventilation in response to their facial expressions.
According to the company, media and ambient lighting will also be adapted into the car in hopes that it would calm the driver down in the event of tense moments on the road, such as when caught in congestion.
“As we move towards a self-driving future, the emphasis for us remains as much on the driver as it ever has,” said Dr Steve Iley, Jaguar Land Rover’s chief medical officer. “By taking a holistic approach to the individual driver and implementing much of what we’ve learnt from the advances in research around personal wellbeing over the last 10 or 15 years, we can make sure our customers remain comfortable, engaged and alert behind the wheel in all driving scenarios, even monotonous motorway journeys.”
JLR are hoping to expand the system it the future with more tailored comforts. They aim to achieve this by enabling the AI to learn the driver’s preferences, meaning it can make more personalised changes, such as starting a favourite playlist, in the event that signs of weariness are identified.
The company are also exploring similar technology to cater to rear passengers by using a camera attached to the headrest, which could dim the lights, tint windows, and increase the temperature in the back of the car if tired expressions are detected on passenger faces.
Mood detection is among the features that are part of a wider effort by Jaguar Land Rover to improve the overall driving experience for its customers, aiming to create a calm environment inside each of its vehicles away from the hectic roads outside.
JLR recently announced that it plans to build a range of electric cars in the UK, safeguarding thousands of jobs and delivering a huge boost to the industry after a series of setbacks in recent months.
An all-electric version of the Jaguar XJ sedan replacement will be the company’s first new battery-powered vehicle.
In August 2018, Jaguar Land Rover fitted “virtual eyes” to its intelligent pod test vehicles to help it better understand the levels of trust humans feel for self-driving vehicles.
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