Tesla needs DMS10 Sep 2019 19:23
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/09/how-tesla-could-fix-its-sleeping-driver-problem/
The case for better driver-monitoring systems
Currently, Tesla checks for driver engagement by measuring torque on the steering wheel. "At highway speeds, drivers typically receive warnings every 30 seconds or less if their hands aren’t detected on the wheel," Tesla's statement noted. If warnings are ignored, the car eventually comes to a stop.
This is better than nothing, but steering wheel torque isn't a very effective way of determining whether the driver is actually paying attention to the road, as these asleep-at-the-wheel incidents make clear. We don't know if the driver fell asleep with his hands resting on the wheel, or if the Tesla cars in these videos just hadn't forced their drivers to pull over yet. It's also possible that some of these videos were pranks, with drivers pretending to be asleep but actually holding the wheel from the bottom.
Further Reading
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In any event, more sophisticated driver-monitoring technology would help. State-of-the-art systems from companies like Subaru and Cadillac are based on cameras and eye-tracking software. A system like that can tell whether drivers are looking at the road, looking down at their lap, or have their eyes closed and are slumped over in their seat. This kind of system could immediately take action if drivers appear to be asleep.
More aggressive notifications are also possible. In a comment to a previous article about sleeping drivers, reader LordOfThePigs describes the behavior of his or her late-model VW vehicle. If the driver ignores warnings for around 20 seconds, "the car jerks itself by quickly applying and releasing the brakes, the seatbelt is very abruptly tightened," the reader wrote.
"I have no clue what happens then, because I didn't dare to continue the experiment," the reader reported. "The last step is freaking scary and would definitely wake me up if I was sleeping (and give me an extra adrenaline boost that would keep me awake)."
If Tesla adopted the combination of camera-based driver monitoring and more aggressive driver notifications, it could almost completely eliminate the problem of sleeping drivers on the freeway. This is a good idea whether or not you believe the current version of Autopilot is already saving lives by preventing crashes by drowsy drivers.
And to be clear, this isn't only an issue for Tesla. Other carmakers could use more sophisticated driver monitoring technologies, too, and the technology can help save lives whether or not a vehicle comes equipped with an Autopilot-style driver assistance system.
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