SENSE: Sleepiness, Ethanol, and caNnabis Sensing for Enhanced safety

Purpose and goal

SENSE aims to improve road safety by developing and validating algorithms for real-time detection of alcohol impairment and sleepiness, while preparing for future cannabis studies. Building on prior research, we will deliver robust, personalized driver monitoring systems (DMS), and validate the developed algorithm in a new validation study.

Expected effects and result

The project will deliver validated algorithms for alcohol and sleepiness detection under real-world conditions, standardized evaluation methods for Euro NCAP and GSR, and a regulatory framework for cannabis studies. Behavioural assessment of cannabis impairment is expected to be more relevant for DMS applications compared to biological testing, because drugs remain detectable in blood or saliva long after the functional impairment wears off.

Planned approach and implementation

The project begins with a state-of-the-art review. Using existing datasets and established knowledge, we will develop algorithms for detecting alcohol impairment and sleepiness and analyse the feasibility of extracting cannabis-related features. Validation of these algorithms will be conducted on a test track under realistic conditions. In parallel, legal and ethical requirements for cannabis studies will be mapped, and recommendations for Euro NCAP and GSR will be formulated.