Potential of IR-based Driver Monitoring and Comfort Automation

Authors

Stefan Böshagen, BCS Automotive Interface Solutions, Radolfzell;
Alexander Kirmas, Damian Backes, fka GmbH, Aachen;
Christoph Weiss, LifeTAix GmbH, Aachen

Summary

Infrared sensors provide information on the thermal boundary conditions of the passenger cabin as well as the passenger’s thermal state. Thus, they can help to improve the control of cabin climatization systems. By determining surface temperatures of both the passenger and the surrounding environment, the heat exchange can be estimated and used as an additional input for the control. Other possible applications include the thermal history, estimation of the clothing level or detection of the facial temperature - aspects that also influence the heat exchange and thus the thermal comfort. In this paper, the potential of a system based on infrared sensors will be demonstrated that can estimate the thermal comfort of passengers. The model of thermal comfort is extended by the dimension of the physiological state of the occupant in order to take into account influencing variables such as metabolism. Furthermore, an approach for the holistic description of driver monitoring systems is presented, for which the information from IR sensors is a promising input variable.

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