Mercedes-Benz developing "Attention Assist" to aid drowsy drivers

Mercedes-Benz has already developed a system to help folks that have trouble braking, and it now looks like it's doing the same for those that have a tendency to fall asleep at the wheel. That will apparently come in the form of the automaker's "Attention Assist" system, which is apparently in the final stages of development and expected to go into production in 2009, according to Gizmag. Among other things, the system can record the angle of the steering wheel, as well as speed, acceleration, and the use of indicators and pedals, not to mention external factors like a side wind or an uneven road surface. If it detects suspicious behavior, it sets off a warning light and some presumably hard to ignore sounds to tell the driver to pull over. As Gizmag points out, however, this is far from the first system that tries to keep drowsy drivers alert, although it does seem to be a good deal more advanced than a few of the solutions we've seen.

[Via Straightline]

[Anthony @ Dec 13th 2007 5:47PM]

This is great news. I've been working for 16 hrs to pay for my $100,000 car &, well, I have a 2 hr commute because I want a 6500 square foot home &, quite frankly, I'm exhausted.

Now, if they could only build in an aerosol dispenser for my cocaine/speed habit...

[kojo87 @ Dec 13th 2007 6:30PM]

the should just make a boxing glove on a spring shoot out of the steering wheel. that would be more effective and probably cheaper to implement.

[Bobs @ Dec 13th 2007 7:24PM]

You dont want to actually knock him out, but aim it at his crotch, replace the boxing glove with a taser, and have it arc when it thinks the driver is tired, thatll wake him up, if not, tase his crotch.

[Reader @ Dec 13th 2007 8:58PM]

My personal opinion is that any man that finds it funny for another man to be hit in the boys should be shot.

[Will @ Dec 13th 2007 9:49PM]

Don't tase me bro!

[Bobs @ Dec 14th 2007 1:17AM]

My opinon is that you shouldnt get to have kids when you drive in a condition that could kill others.

[Pavan @ Dec 15th 2007 12:27AM]

Don't you mean "Don't tase my bros?"

[nosleepidiot @ Dec 13th 2007 6:36PM]

anybody remember the Simpson's episode when homer became a truck driver and fell asleep at the wheel. Then he woke up and discovered that there is an automated system in the truck that will drive the truck for you if you fall asleep.

[Anthony @ Dec 13th 2007 6:48PM]

Yes.

[Tony @ Dec 13th 2007 7:10PM]

The driver is falling asleep! He's on the wrong side of the road!

[Bobs @ Dec 13th 2007 7:25PM]

What if he was driving in the US?

[Jeff @ Dec 13th 2007 8:03PM]

That's definitely a one way road, look at the lines. It doesn't matter which side he's on.

[Tony @ Dec 13th 2007 8:05PM]

Clearly I need the attention assist.

[michaelportent @ Dec 13th 2007 7:43PM]

Benz will probably be the first company to make the car that'll drive me home after a few beers too.

[Scooter @ Dec 14th 2007 2:27AM]

it's called a Taxi. In Germany they are all Mercedes.

[Jason Preston @ Dec 13th 2007 8:01PM]

I've done a number of long road trips (although only once did I do so alone), and I've definitely been in that place where you probably *should* stop driving, but I'll be damned if I'm not going to get back home *tonight*...

Probably a smart feature, though.

Donald: we Blog Business Summit folks are hosting another blogger party at CES this year on January 8th. It would be great if you or any other Engadget bloggers can show up...

Shoot me an e-mail (Jason AT blogbusinesssummit DOT com) if you'd like a set of invites.

[Jeff @ Dec 13th 2007 8:10PM]

Anyone who needs this should not be driving. Just like anyone who needs a camera to back up, a blind spot indicator, automatic parallel parking, assisted braking, adaptive cruise control, or frontal crash sensors should not be driving. The current trend in luxury cars seems to be "Let's see how little driving we have to do in this thing!" Soon, no one will remember how to use their damn mirrors, no one will remember how to park, and no one will have the common sense to NOT DRIVE WHILE THEY'RE FALLING ASLEEP.

[Ian @ Dec 14th 2007 4:51AM]

o believe me i will always remember how to do those things cuz i drive a jeep... a 89 jeep wrangler with no power steering, no power windows hell i dont even think it has a check engine light. so most people will forget how to do it but me? i wont ever.

[Judge @ Dec 22nd 2007 11:29AM]

Unfortunately, counting on others to have common sense is unrealistic. My nephew is dead because of an asleep driver, and blaming that driver does nothing to help me and my family. As long as human beings are flawed we need awareness and technology to prevent us from killing each other. That's a sad reality, but believe me the alternative (my nephew being dead) is far more sad. FYI: Drowsy driving is probably a bigger national problem than drunk driving (http://www.drowsydriving.org/site/c.lqLPIROCKtF/b.3338585/k.8AB2/Facts_and_Stats.htm). This is why carmakers are doing the research, and I thank them for it.

[BCre8v @ Dec 13th 2007 8:11PM]

"When you're too tired too drive, but really need to get there, choose Mercedes!"

[St. Stephen @ Dec 13th 2007 9:31PM]

most people would be surprised at the technology mercedes has invented, everything from abs to airbags and crumple zones. i love my benz and will continue to drive them (the ones i can afford anyway). looks like a solid step in the right direction though, automated cars. i want an autopilot!

[Rjay @ Dec 14th 2007 12:35AM]

Apparently the new Benz's that were tested in Asia were sent back to R&D as they mysteriously never disengaged from the Attention Assist.

[Pavan @ Dec 15th 2007 12:36AM]

Not sure if that was a serious comment or a joke...but if you were referring to the fact that asians squint so much that it looks like they're doing those "Magic Eye" puzzles all the time, good one!

[doug @ Dec 14th 2007 4:15AM]

I've been known to be a 'sleep-driver' and some of this technology would have saved a quarter panel or 2...my only question to this system is this...

Who adjusts the tilt while driving?

"...the system can record the angle of the steering wheel..."

[Brodie @ Dec 14th 2007 9:52AM]

How long until someone falls asleep at the wheel and sues Mercedes because their car didn't wake them up or go into auto-pilot mode...

[Will Design for Food @ Dec 14th 2007 10:23AM]

BMW already has a system in the 5 Series that will detect if the driver has fallen asleep and shake the steering wheel. It can tell whether the driver is swerving, or veering off course, in which case the car vibrates the steering wheel.

[Pavan @ Dec 15th 2007 12:39AM]

I believe that even your common Kia has a dumbed down version of this...it's called a rumble-fucking-strip!

[Pavan @ Dec 15th 2007 12:30AM]

There're quite a few BMW taxis as well...the shocking part is that they're nearly as well built/equipped as the models we get here in the states

[Pavan @ Dec 15th 2007 12:34AM]

I had a friend manage to back her car into one of those cement "natural selection" poles (they're called that because if you walk into them, you've probably just weeded yourself out of the gene pool) that they have at Ikea so that you can't escape with shopping parts... the best part was that the main strike occured to the camera lens!

[JP @ Jan 7th 2008 10:17AM]

You are incorrect St. Stephen, in regards to the inventors of antilock (ABS) braking systems.
The first practical antilock, or “antiskid”, braking system, was developed in 1958 by Road Research Labs in Great Britain and was first available in 1966 on the Jensen FF sports sedan. This vehicle was also the first vehicle to have a working 4WD or AWD system using viscous coupling drive. Both of these systems were originally developed by Harry Ferguson (FF is "Ferguson Formula) and he had developed an AWD F1 car in 1960 called the P99. Unfortunately, Ferguson dropped dead before the debut. Stirling Moss took the car to a win at the Oulton Park Gold Cup Race in 1961. Here is a web address with some truly amazing facts about Jensen and their developments:

http://jalopnik.com/cars/jalopnik-fantasy-garage/jensen-ff-267959.php