'Rationing' Driver Data to Avoid Sensory Overload
img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/printeditiontag_new.gif" width=120 align=right>One way to combat sensory overload is to dole out information in doses the driver can handle. Some companies, for example, are working to cut off computer use when the vehicle is moving.
Taking the paternal approach one step further, Delphi Corp., a major supplier of audio and other electronic systems to the automotive and trucking industries, is developing a computerized system designed to automatically manage a driver's workload.
The first part of the system is designed to improve situational awareness through sensors that identify potential threats to the driver. External cameras and radar, for example, can signal an impending collision, sharp turn or other dangerous situation.