What it does
AlertMassage Pillow: In-car headrest combating driver fatigue. Detects fatigue via ECG, activates cooling massage heads at threshold. Combines 21°C cooling + GB20 acupoint massage to restore alertness, preventing fatigue-related accidents.
Your inspiration
Fatigue arises imperceptibly during monotonous drives, increasing accident risks. Conventional systems detect eye closure/yawning but have flaws: 1) Late-stage detection 2) Unreliable tracking with no active intervention. Physiological monitoring enables objective fatigue assessment and early action. Massage headrests commonly relieve driver neck strain. TCM confirms Fengchi (GB20) acupoint stimulation boosts mental clarity via blood flow. Research shows 21°C neck cooling enhances alertness. Combining targeted cooling with acupressure delivers science-backed fatigue intervention.
How it works
The product primarily consists of three core components: fatigue detection sensors, an information processing module, and cooling massage heads. When worn, the sensors integrated into the headrest conform to the driver's neck, continuously monitoring their ECG waveform. The acquired physiological signals are processed in real-time by the information processing module. Upon detecting driver fatigue, the system automatically activates the cooling massage heads. Thermoelectric cooling chips lower the temperature of the massage heads, maintaining it precisely at 21°C to effectively reduce driver fatigue levels. When the system determines the driver has regained alertness, the cooling massage heads automatically deactivate. Drivers may also manually shut down the cooling function at any time using the power button.
Design process
Initially, I conceptualized developing a device to detect driving fatigue and deliver effective intervention. Recognizing the widespread use of massage headrests and researching acupressure therapy, I determined to adopt the headrest as the solution platform. Among various fatigue detection methods, physiological signal monitoring remained underutilized in practical applications while offering ideal compatibility with headrest integration. This led to the selection of Photoplethysmography (PPG) for fatigue assessment. The first prototype employed Fengchi (GB20) acupoint massage alone for alertness enhancement. To optimize intervention efficacy, subsequent research revealed that cervical cooling at 21°C significantly boosts driver vigilance. This discovery prompted the integration of thermoelectric cooling technology into the massage heads, creating a dual-modality system that synergistically combats fatigue through combined thermal and mechanical stimulation.
How it is different
Unlike conventional massage headrests, this product targets a specific application scenario: driver fatigue mitigation. It integrates sensor technology using Photoplethysmography (PPG) to detect fatigue levels. Furthermore, its massage heads are distinct from standard versions—equipped with thermoelectric cooling technology that maintains a precise 21°C temperature. This engineered thermal control significantly enhances the alertness effect compared to traditional solutions.
Future plans
Tech Dev Build ECG + cooling massage (21°C) prototype. Test in vehicles. Calibrate fatigue algo (RR/LF/HF). Target early intervention (LF/HF>0.8). Miniaturize chips for 8h+ runtime. Certify ISO 13485/26262. Commercial B2B fleet pilots: Prove 15%+ accident reduction. Cut costs 30% via supply chain. Patent GB20 dual-mode & biosignal-cooling IP. Milestones 6mo: Auto prototype. 12mo: 100-unit pilot + Tier-1 talks. Future: Aviation/EEG + biometric DB.据库建设
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