An artificial passenger (AP) is a device that would
be used in a motor vehicle to make sure that the driver stays awake. IBM
has developed a prototype that holds a conversation with a driver, telling
jokes and asking questions intended to determine whether the driver can
respond alertly enough. Assuming the IBM approach, an artificial passenger
would use a microphone for the driver and a speech generator and the vehicle's
audio speakers to converse with the driver. The conversation would be
based on a personalized profile of the driver. A camera could be used
to evaluate the driver's "facial state" and a voice analyzer
to evaluate whether the driver was becoming drowsy. If a driver seemed
to display too much fatigue, the artificial passenger might be programmed
to open all the windows, sound a buzzer, increase background music volume,
or even spray the driver with ice water. |
