A Study on the Gaze Range Calculation Method During an Actual Car Driving Using Eyeball Angle and Head Angle...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Automotive Engineering

Background:

• Assessing driving ability in individuals with higher brain dysfunction is challenging, with limited evaluation criteria.
• The increasing rate of accidents involving elderly drivers in Japan necessitates a reliable method for evaluating their driving competence.
• Gaze estimation is an emerging field with potential applications in cognitive and functional assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a system for estimating gaze based on eye and head angles to assess driving ability.
• To investigate the feasibility of using gaze estimation for identifying potential driving impairments in elderly drivers.
• To address the need for objective criteria in evaluating the driving capabilities of individuals with potential cognitive decline.

Main Methods:

• Developed a gaze calculation method integrating eye tracking data (TalkEyeLite) and estimated head angles via template matching.
• Constructed a system capable of real-time gaze estimation during actual on-road driving conditions.
• Conducted on-road driving evaluations at a driving school with a diverse group of Japanese drivers, including elderly participants.

Main Results:

• The proposed gaze estimation system was successfully implemented and tested during on-road driving evaluations.
• Comparison of gaze ranges between general drivers and an instructor revealed narrower gaze ranges in specific individuals.
• Identified narrower gaze ranges in one male driver in his 40s and one elderly driver, suggesting potential differences in visual attention during driving.

Conclusions:

• The developed gaze estimation system shows promise as a tool for evaluating driving ability, particularly in the context of aging drivers.
• Narrower gaze ranges may serve as an indicator of impaired driving performance or visual attention deficits.
• Further research is warranted to validate these findings and establish the system's utility in clinical and safety assessments for drivers.