Affectiva Revs Up Mobile Road Safety Lab

US emotion measurement specialist Affectiva is launching a Mobile Lab - in the form of a bright pink car - which aims to gather insight on behavior inside vehicles in order to improve road safety.

Founded in 2009 by Professor Rosalind Picard and research scientist Rana el Kaliouby, in collaboration with the Media Lab at MIT, Affectiva develops software that detects complex and nuanced human emotions and cognitive states from face and voice. Its products include the Q Sensor wearable biosensor and Affdex facial expression recognition tool, and its patented Emotion AI technology uses machine learning, deep learning, computer vision and speech science.

The firm says its new Mobile Lab car will demonstrate how Automotive AI will make driving safer and more enjoyable. In the Lab, participants will experience how automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers are using Affectiva Automotive AI to build advanced driver monitor systems (DMS) that prevent drowsy and distracted driving. An in-cabin camera tracks the participants' cognitive and emotional states, and when it detects moderate or extreme drowsiness, the Mobile Lab will give the driver an alert via a tablet display in the center console. This includes offering suggestions such as getting coffee from nearby coffee shops, navigating to a rest stop, playing the driver's favorite music, vibrating the seat belt, or turning on air conditioning.

Commenting on the launch, el Kaliouby said: 'As the auto industry continues on its path to autonomy, and consumers' expectations of how they engage with technology evolves, it's important to consider how humans and AI will successfully partner with each other. Undoubtedly, trust will need to sit at the center of that relationship'.

Web site: www.affectiva.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.