Renault R-NEST: using stimulation to fight hypovigilance at the wheel

Renault R-NEST: using stimulation to fight hypovigilance at the wheel

The Renault R-NEST project (Renault Research Tool for NEuroscience STudies) was developed by the Groupe Renault Research department as a neurophysiology research tool and demo model for these types of system. The purpose of this research is to help reduce accidents caused by driving fatigue.

The demo model consists of a static driving module. It has two cameras (3D and 2D) that capture and record driver reactions and measure a large amount of data (heart rate, head position and movement, etc.).

Analysis of these parameters makes it possible to determine the driver’s overall condition, by recognizing his or her state of alertness, for example. If hypovigilance is detected, Renault R-NEST acts to protect driver and user safety whether or not the car is in motion by offering reactivation or relaxation scenarios based on “binaural stimulation”.

This consists of applying slightly different auditory frequencies to each ear; the brain perceives this difference and is stimulated in function.

For example, when driving, the system will inform the driver and offer him or her countermeasures such as music containing “infrasounds”, which have the effect of reactivating concentration, giving the driver time to park safely in a parking lot and thus avoid an accident by falling asleep at the wheel.

The studies conducted on these types of stimulation show very positive results: drivers are more awake after a nap with “infrasounds” or infrasound stimulation than after a cup of coffee or a conventional nap. The benefits are physiological (the brain is more “awake”), behavioral (subject reaction rates are higher) and subjective (the driver feels less tired).

Read more: https://group.renault.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/urd_2019_-3-avril_14h.pdf