Comments on: New Car Feature Alerts Drivers When They Fall Asleep

By: liphttam1

liphttam1 — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:58:35 +0000

A better way to stop someone from sleeping in a car is to not drive at night.

By: K!P

K!P — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:04:56 +0000

i think the tailgating symbol is either the park assist or the automatic braking cruisecontrol.

By: Nicholas Dollak

Nicholas Dollak — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:49:29 +0000

I read about this being in the development phases some time ago. I think it detects if the car is drifting or weaving, or it might even incorporate an "electronic eye" that "locks onto" the driver's pupils. If the pupils vanish for longer than the duration of a blink, or seem to roll up or toward/away from each other, it triggers the alarm. Once I became throroughly exhausted while driving. As I approached the next rest area, I suddenly saw the cars ahead of me on the road appear to shift places abruptly, as though were watching a movie from which several consecutive frames of film had been edited out at random intervals. Later, I recall awaking safely in a parking-space at the rest area, but unable to recall entering the area or parking. Scary! My work schedule is still overtaxing. But since I've lost weight, I find it easier to stay alert while driving.

By: xultar

xultar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:02:01 +0000

I'm more interested in what looks like that tailgating symbol down there on the bottom left.

Is that for the driver of the benz who is tailgating or to warn them that they are being tailgating?

By: ted

ted — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:20:16 +0000

Isn't that what spouses are for?

By: Idil

Idil — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:24:28 +0000

Hmmm, I don't know... some people have very jerky and scared-like reflexes when they are woken by an alarm.. their hands on the steering wheel would probably jerk and take the car off track. But then again, it's better than sleeping I guess.

By: unohav_1

unohav_1 — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:39:24 +0000

It would be interesting to see exactly how this works. I'd hope it wouldn't require you to hold the wheel in a particular fashion as we all hold the wheel differently. I even know ones that don't even hold the wheel at all, grasping the center part instead. Still a good idea though.

By: Ali S.

Ali S. — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:48:29 +0000

Egads. I think a better way to wake up the driver would be to throw said coffee in yonder lap.

By: Kitten

Kitten — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:45:45 +0000

great idea, although i'm usually inattentive when i'm driving.. which is why i don't drive unless necessary.

By: SparkS

SparkS — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:25:03 +0000

Along a similar vein Volvo advertisements tout some available features. An alarm sounds when you are going to drive into something. Another one if you are going to hit someone while changing lanes. I call those cars "Cars for Morons That Shouldn't be on the Road!".
One advertisement even shows some idiot doing something with an article on the passenger seat. The alarm goes off so they don't run into another car. The main idea about driving is to keep ones eyes on the road not be screwing around with something on the passenger seat. These cars are truly unbelievable!

The Mercedes idea is a valuable one.

By: theglamlife

theglamlife — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:09:34 +0000

Does it really have a cup of coffee as the symbol?

Are you sure this wasn't sponsored by Starbucks?

Still a good idea. Many a time I have arrived home and wondered if I secretly teleported-since I have no memory of getting there.