THE CHALLENGE

“Describe a novel accessory or app that supports drivers when traveling [long distances] in remote regions or over rugged terrain…” (briefing document)

The technological trends in the production of automotive features and accessories, devices and apps, have all been designed and orchestrated to reduce the cognitive and physical burden of operating a motor vehicle. From the earliest development of power assisted steering and braking, to voice activated navigation systems (e.g.  SYNC, from the Ford Motor Company). However, the unintended consequences of these features are often overlooked when a new generation of apps and devices are implemented. Off-loading the more tedious, mundane or challenging tasks to a computer system leaves the driver with much less to do or think about in the operation of her vehicle. 

If the logical conclusion to this trend is the ultimate “support” accessory for the driver, that is, a “surrogate“ computerized version of one - or no driver at all, then any new apps or devices need to have a different job to do. I interpreted this challenge not as an opportunity to simply assist or support the driver but to safely gamify their driving experience and involve them more fully in the operation of their vehicle, especially when they are faced with a trip across the more forbidding Australian Outback.

DATA COLLECTION AND THE DRIVER-EXPERIENCE ECOSYSTEM
 

“Operate the machine with equal parts prejudice and paranoia.” (1)

“[most serious mishaps] are due to rather unspectacular mistakes: drinking, speeding, and swerving for wildlife… Remote Australian Outback tracks are obviously not policed in any way. The great distances tempt people to put the pedal to the metal, and drinking and driving is sadly a very common habit out here as well, due to the scant chance of being caught.” (2)

(See the appendix for Driver-Experience Ecosystem)
There are numerous well-documented websites and trip-planning documents available to ensure a safe Australian out-back road trip. Beyond common sense, a well-equipped vehicle and the adherence to best-practice guidelines for a trip across remote terrain, collecting more vehicle and/or environmental data is not sufficient for the design of a novel and compelling new accessory or app.

The solution to this challenge relies on the most valuable and pertinent source of data, the driver. To ensure proper operation of a vehicle that is essentially within the absolute control of the driver, the mental state of the driver and her well-being impact directly on the operation of her vehicle.  The key determinants for driver fatigue and error are : loss of focus, restlessness, distractedness and boredom. By detecting and reversing these mental states, drivers are more engaged with the operation of their vehicle and will be at much less risk of committing dangerous errors.

Vigil constantly monitors the driver’s brain waver patterns via a wireless headband. (see endnotes) It is calibrated to detect Theta and Gamma brain wave frequencies :

• Theta waves 3hz - 8hz -  indicative of extreme relaxation 

• Gamma  waves 27 Hz and up - indicative of creative ideation (3)

At these brain wave states the driver is highly alert and fully engaged in her task of operating the vehicle.  The driver’s goal is to attain and maintain one of these two levels via a feedback loop which is delivered as music and/or sound scapes. When her mind wanders and the brain wave frequencies shift from the ones prescribed by the app, the soundscape shift accordingly providing a gentle “aural” nudge as a reminder to redouble her concentration efforts.

Rationale

There is an abundance of support offered to drivers who plan trips into the Australian Outback. Mechanical failure due to engineering error is the ultimate unforeseeable problem that may plague a driving trip in this country, but it is also the least likely. UHF or satellite communications to a service center is virtually the only option under these circumstances.

Vigil is a device that takes advantage of the advances made in Electroencephalographic technology. “Electroencephalography (EEG), used in clinics for over a century, is the measurement of electric activity produced by the brain. The neurons in our brain communicate by sending small electric impulses to each other. When a large number of neurons fire at the same time they create a change in the electric field we can measure from outside the head. When neurons fire, we can calculate the strength of certain frequencies and correlate to general states of mind.”(5)

Vigil preempts human error and driver fatigue by gamifying the need to “pay attention to the road” through novel but proven brain-wave sensing technology.  As the mechanical stature of Ford products approaches total reliability and robustness, the last frontier for supporting drivers are the accessing driver’s state of mind.

Sources and notes.

1, 2: http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/videos/a24035/road-trip-rules/

3. http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2010/11/wandering-mind-not-a-happy-mind

4. http://company.interaxon.ca/home.html

5. http://www.choosemuse.com

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100310114936.htm

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763413002248

http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/cep/67/1/11/

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100310114936.htm

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071581914000159