5 research outputs found
Technology 2003: Conference Proceedings from the Fourth National Technology Transfer Conference and Exposition, Volume 1
Proceedings from symposia of the Technology 2003 Conference and Exposition, December 7-9, I993, Anaheim, CA. Volume 1 features the Plenary Session and the Plenary Workshop, plus papers presented in Advanced Manufacturing, Biotechnology/Medical Technology, Environmental Technology, Materials Science, and Power and Energy
NASA Tech Briefs, September 1992
Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences
Investigation of low-cost infrared sensing for intelligent deployment of occupant restraints
In automotive transport, airbags and seatbelts are effective at restraining the
driver and passenger in the event of a crash, with statistics showing a
dramatic reduction in the number of casualties from road crashes.
However, statistics also show that a small number of these people have been
injured or even killed from striking the airbag, and that the elderly and small
children are especially at risk of airbag-related injury. This is the result of the
fact that in-car restraint systems were designed for the average male at an
average speed of 50 km/hr, and people outside these norms are at risk.
Therefore one of the future safety goals of the car manufacturers is to deploy
sensors that would gain more information about the driver or passenger of
their cars in order to tailor the safety systems specifically for that person, and
this is the goal of this project.
This thesis describes a novel approach to occupant detection, position
measurement and monitoring using a low-cost thermal imaging based
system, which is a departure from traditional video camera-based systems,
and at an affordable price. Experiments were carried out using a specially
designed test rig and a car driving simulator with members of the public.
Results have shown that the thermal imager can detect a human in a car
cabin mock up and provide crucial real-time position data, which could be
used to support intelligent restraint deployment. Other valuable information
has been detected such as whether the driver is smoking, drinking a hot or
cold drink, using a mobile phone, which can help to infer the level of driver
attentiveness or engagement
Life Sciences Program Tasks and Bibliography
This document includes information on all peer reviewed projects funded by the Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications, Life Sciences Division during fiscal year 1995. Additionally, this inaugural edition of the Task Book includes information for FY 1994 programs. This document will be published annually and made available to scientists in the space life sciences field both as a hard copy and as an interactive Internet web pag