IIT-M unveils IoT-based Intelliseat to overcome driver fatigue related road accidents

CHENNAI: Recently, IIT-Madras was in news for an interesting product launch. Co-developed by Harita Seating Systems Limited (HSSL) on a technology transfer agreement from IIT-Madras’ Engineering Design Department, Intelliseat, a 24x7 Performance Monitoring Solution was launched to reduce road accidents caused by driver fatigue.

Intelliseat is an Internet of things (IoT) device that monitors the driver 24x7 and is confined within the existing footprint of regular seats.  This system operates independently and can be used for in-vehicle information of status as well as help a central tracking by fleet owners. It can also be used for driver training and fleet risk evaluation, which would eventually have a bearing on the overall fleet insurance and ownership cost.

The sensors embedded to the seat monitor the presence of driver in the vehicle, their behaviour, performance and fatigue. This information can be used to warn the driver in-vehicle or to communicate with the fleet operator in real-time.  This can help them to take necessary action instantaneously as well as use the information to benchmark drivers and train them. Intelliseat has road tested in commercial vehicles in south India.

IIT-M and Harita Seating Systems Limited (HSSL) have joined hands to address the epidemic of road accidents by collaboratively developing viable and cost effective products to enhance road safety using the technology and knowhow developed by the Rehabilitation Bioengineering Group, Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras. First of the products in this initiative, Intelliseat has been developed and is being launched on this occasion for commercial use.

Highlighting the significance of the product, during the launch, Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian, Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras said, “In this endeavour with HSSL, we have been in a position to translate conceptual work performed in the lab to a viable product that is road ready.  This system can not only make the roads safer but can also have a big impact on driver benchmarking/ training, fleet insurance, etc.”

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras said, “IIT Madras is pleased to be associated with HSSL in this critical area of research and development. India has an unconscionably high rate of traffic accidents, and technologies that can reduce accidents due to driver fatigue are sorely needed.”