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SmartCap Could Save Lives by Keeping Sleepy Drivers Awake

by Warren Riddle on October 8, 2009 at 09:24 AM

Obviously, hats are typically employed as fashion accessories, idealistic symbols, sun blockers, and security blankets for insecure, attention-seeking guidos. Australian company CRC Mining, though, has reportedly created an invaluable hat which may actually save lives.

Directed by Dr. Daniel Bongers, researchers equipped the Smart Cap wonder hat, which is currently being tested on operators and drivers of Anglo American machines and trucks, with brain monitoring sensors that can actually determine if the wearer is falling asleep. If the cap detects signs of fatigue, it relays a signal to a screen in the truck's cab which emits a warning alert and advises the driver to pull over and rest.

CRC wants to continue perfecting the hat so that it will be available and effective for all drivers. Hopefully, the researchers can also develop a socially acceptable brain-monitoring hat, like the trendy fedora, and arm it with a silent joy buzzer alarm. The shocking rejuvenation would be perfect for class, the daily three o'clock office doldrums, and, in particular, boring events like the opera and that upcoming holiday gathering with the in-laws. [From: The Daily Mail]

Tags: asleep at the wheel, AsleepAtTheWheel, driving, SmartCap, top, trucking

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