Detecting drowsy driver using photoplethysmography sensor

Abstract

Drowsiness while driving is one major factor of traffic accident. A reliable detection system for drowsiness could alert the driver before accident happens. In this paper, a non-invasive and inexpensive drowsiness detection system that uses photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor which detects driver's Heart Rate Variability (HRV) pulse wave is described. The process involves taking measurement using the sensor on human fingers, finding the threshold value for drowsy people and implementing the system for real application which is providing signal at Arduino to alert the driver. It can be concluded that a device to detect drowsiness level of a driver by taking non-intrusive physiological measures can be integrated in a system. This system can be used to warn driver beforehand to avoid accident due to drowsiness.