Cars able to speed up drivers’ reactions by reading brainwaves could be available in five to 10 years
Car giant claims it will enable vehicles to interpret signals from the driver’s brain, redefining how drivers interact with their cars
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Cars which can read drivers' brainwaves and speed up their reaction times by anticipating acceleration, steering and braking, could be available within five to 10 years.
Pioneered by Nissan, the Japanese motoring giant unveiled their Brain-to-Vehicle technology (B2V) at the CES 2018 trade show in Las Vegas, US.
The company claims it will enable vehicles to interpret signals from the driver’s brain, redefining how drivers interact with their cars.
Nissan also said that as well as making road travel safer, the cars will keep adapting to make driving more enjoyable.
''When most people think about autonomous driving, they have a very impersonal vision of the future, where humans relinquish control to the machines," said the company's Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci.
''Yet B2V technology does the opposite, by using signals from their own brain to make the drive even more exciting and enjoyable. Through Nissan Intelligent Mobility, we are moving people to a better world by delivering more autonomy, more electrification and more connectivity.”
The development is the result of Nissan's research into the use of brain decoding technology which can predict a driver’s actions and detect discomfort.
By catching signs that the driver’s brain is about to initiate a movement – such as turning the steering wheel or pushing the accelerator pedal – driver assist technology begins the action more quickly.
This can improve reaction times and enhance manual driving.
By detecting and evaluating driver discomfort, artificial intelligence can change the driving configuration or driving style when in autonomous mode.
''Other possible uses include adjusting the vehicle’s internal environment," said Dr Lucian Gheorghe, senior innovation researcher at the Nissan Research Center in Japan, who’s leading the B2V research. ''For example, the technology can use augmented reality to adjust what the driver sees and create a more relaxing environment.
“The potential applications of the technology are incredible. This research will be a catalyst for more Nissan innovation inside our vehicles in the years to come.”
During trials the driver wore a device that measures brain wave activity, which is then analysed by autonomous systems.
By anticipating intended movement, the systems can take actions – such as turning the steering wheel or slowing the car – 0.2 to 0.5 seconds faster than the driver, while remaining largely imperceptible.
Nissan's goal is to offer the optimum level of driving assistance in manual driving mode so that a driver can be in complete control of his or her car.
They hope to implement the technology into their vehicles in between five to 10 years.
SWNS
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments