Researchers have developed a new wearable gadget that could keep drivers from dozing off at the wheel.
The device, called Vigo, measures alertness and helps drivers stay alert by nudging them.
Vigo tracks patterns in the user's blinks and in their body's movement to quantify how alert they are in real time.
With an infrared sensor, an accelerometer, and a clever algorithm, Vigo knows when someone is drowsy, according to the product description on Kickstarter website.
Vigo functions just like a Bluetooth headset with handsfree talking capabilities.
The device connects to the user's smartphone through Bluetooth.
Users can customise when, and how, Vigo nudges them. They can choose between a soft pulsing vibration, a discreet notification LED or a song to help them re-focus.
Vigo can also help users determine their peak energy periods. The companion app visualises the important information about user alertness, allowing them to see patterns and make changes in their routine.
The motivation to build Vigo came to the researchers when they were studying at the University of Pennsylvania.
They have been building Vigo over the past couple of months under the arm of the hardware accelerator programme HAXLR8R in Shenzhen, China.
