Accidents are a huge concern for workers, passengers and drivers alike. However, technological innovations may allow the future of vehicle and workplace safety to be brighter.
It is important to prevent traffic and workplace accidents because they can lead to injury or even death. It is also important for drivers and employees to be aware of their options in the event of injury.
This page will examine emerging technologies which are helping to keep drivers and workers safe.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) is a technology which is able to detect potential vehicle crashes and brake automatically to avoid collisions or lessen impacts’ severity.
The way a typical AEB system works is this: say you’re driving and the system determines a collision risk exists in front of you. The system alerts you via audio and visual alerts and automatically applies light braking. This prompts you to take action in order to avoid the collision.
Should you fail to take action and the collision risk increases, the AEB system then automatically applies emergency braking before a collision occurs. This helps to reduce or avoid damage caused by a collision.
Recent innovations in AEB technology include:
- Toyota has filed a patent for a system which utilizes LiDAR sensors, radar sensors and cameras. This technology could reduce accidents and revolutionize the industry. Toyota’s AEB innovations include nighttime cyclist and pedestrian detection, detection of obstacles which are partially obscured, and coordination with other vehicles’ systems.
- Some AEB systems can now brake for animals. Volvo has even tested a kangaroo-detecting system for use in Australia.
- Some AEB systems now involve the ability to detect collision risks behind the vehicle and automatically apply the brakes while the driver is driving in reverse.
A very high percentage of traffic accidents are rear-end accidents. These accidents can cause businesses which utilize drivers a lot of money. AEB systems can improve safety and reduce accidents, helping businesses which utilize drivers to save a ton of money and helping keep employees and independent contractors safe.
Lane Departure Warning
Lane departure warning systems (LDWS) are mechanisms designed to warn drivers when their vehicles begin to drift out of their lanes. They do not engage when turn signals are on in the direction of drift. LDWS systems are designed for the minimization of accidents by addressing drowsiness, distractions and driver error.
There are five kinds of LDWS systems:
- Lane departure warning: If you are driving and your vehicle begins to leave its lane, these systems provide vibration, audible and/or visual warnings.
- Lane keeping assist: If you are driving and your begin to leave your lane, these systems warn you and, if you do not take action to correct your path, they will automatically steer your vehicle in order to make sure that you stay in your lane.
- Lane centering assist: These systems help you avoid oversteering, help to keep your vehicle centered in your lane, and ask you to take over in difficult situations.
- Automated lane keeping systems: These systems are designed to stay between lane markings without a human driver.
- Emergency lane keeping: If you are driving and your vehicle drifts past a solid lane marking, this system will automatically apply correction to your vehicle.
Technological advancements which have allowed for the usage of LDWS systems include Canny edge detection and Hough transform techniques. These image processing techniques obtain data from cameras which face forward. Some vehicles have powerful computers on board which can process images in real-time in order to allow for autonomous driving involving lane detection.
In addition, advanced lane detection technology is in development utilizing neural network and deep learning. NVIDIA has developed accurate self-driving technology involving neural networks which “learn” from camera images and steering input. This technology can change steering angles based on lane changes to keep vehicles in the middle of lanes.
LDWS systems can keep drivers safe by reducing accidents. They are also a key technology for companies who utilize truckers, as fatigue is a known cause of a lot of trucking accidents. These systems can reduce trucking accidents caused by fatigued drivers drifting out of their lanes.
Adaptive Headlights
Adaptive headlights are headlights which adapt to driving conditions. Many of them move in the direction that your steering wheel moves in. This illuminates the path ahead of you.
So, if you’re driving on a dark, curvy mountain road at night and encounter a left curve, the headlights will turn to the left for you as you steer left. This may, for example, illuminate a deer in the middle of the road, helping you to avoid colliding with it.
In addition, technology is being developed allowing adaptive headlight systems to detect other vehicles’ positions. These systems can then alter your headlights’ angle and intensity to avoid blinding other drivers. These systems can maintain a central beam, giving you excellent visibility in front of you, while keeping the extremities of the light beam dimmed so as to not blind oncoming traffic.
Another new technology is headlights with rain sensor systems. These systems automatically adjust the beam patter, light intensity or light output based on data from rain sensors, which detect rain intensity and adjust headlights to maximize your visibility. This is important because when rain falls on headlight lenses, this can diffuse and scatter the headlight’s light, reducing visibility.
Adaptive headlights can help keep drivers safe at night by reducing accidents. They can also be important for businesses who utilize drivers at night, especially in rural areas with curvy roads.
Exoskeleton Tech
Exoskeleton suits are wearable devices which enhance the performance and strength of users, letting them complete specific tasks.
Work’s physical demands can lead to debilitating, costly injuries to workers. A leading cause of medical expenses, lost productivity, physical disability and pain is overexertion. One of the most common work-related health issues is back pain.
Strain injuries are very common in workers, and these can keep workers out of work for weeks. Strain injuries can be caused by pushing, lifting, pulling, using machinery and tools, and repetitive reaching motions.
Exoskeleton tech can reduce workplace injuries by reducing physical work’s load. They can help workers do heavy lifting and reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders.
When lifting an object while wearing an exoskeleton, the object will seem lighter and will be easier to lift.
Recent advancements in exoskeleton technology include:
- Soft exoskeletons: While past exoskeletons were metallic, newer exoskeletons consist of fabric and feature flexible “muscles.” These are easier for workers to move around in.
- Wireless operation: Newer exoskeletons can operate wirelessly, giving workers freedom and reducing accident risk.
- Smart sensors and AI: Some exoskeletons have smart sensors which gather data on the physical state of the user and use it to optimize performance. Exoskeletons featuring AI can adjust users’ posture based upon metabolic data in order to reduce strain.
This technology can greatly reduce workers’ compensation costs for businesses by preventing worker injuries.
Cross-Traffic Alert Systems
Cross-traffic alert systems detect approaching pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, often utilizing radar units. They provide drivers with audible alerts upon detecting collision risks which are approaching from the vehicle’s sides.
If you’re driving along and one of these systems detects cross traffic ahead, it will often display an arrow on your reversing camera display, indicating the direction that the detected object is coming from.
Vehicles with blind spot monitoring systems may include rear cross-traffic alerts.
Recent advancements in cross-traffic alert system technology include:
- LiDAR: This technology supplements traditional radar and ultrasonic sensors, offering superior detection of objects.
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Artificial intelligence and machine learning can improve the accuracy of these systems regarding hazard detection. They can reduce false alarms and enhance the trust of drivers.
These systems can keep drivers safe by reducing accidents and can be especially important for businesses who utilize drivers in urban environments with a lot of intersections.
Wearable Devices and Products
Wearable products and devices can improve the productivity and safety of workers. These devices fall into four categories:
- Supporting devices: These devices, like powered gloves and exoskeletons, provide physical assistance to workers regarding tasks such as lifting.
- Monitoring devices: These devices, such as smart helmets, alert workers regarding changes in the workplace environment or vital signs.
- Training devices: These devices give feedback regarding movements or help to improve the performance of workers. An example of a device which can improve worker performance is augmented reality glasses.
- Tracking devices: These devices observe employees’ locations at worksites.
Recent developments in wearable device technology include:
- Accelerometers: These can detect falls and provide alerts which allow for assistance after a fall.
- Proximity sensors: These can provide alerts when equipment or workers get too close to one another, helping to prevent collisions.
- Environmental sensors: These can detect air quality and alert users to possible hazards such as pollution or toxic substances in the air. This may be able to prevent lawsuits such as lawsuits involving exposure to hazardous substances.
These devices can increase employee productivity for businesses and improve employee safety, lowering companies’ workers’ compensation costs.
Pedestrian Detection
Pedestrian detection technology is an example of advanced driver assistance systems. This technology utilizes sensors, artificial intelligence and cameras to detect pedestrians when they are near vehicles. These systems can analyze the environment around your vehicle, recognizing human movements and forms, helping to mitigate or prevent possible collisions with pedestrians.
When you are driving along and these systems detect a pedestrian nearby, they can provide an alert letting you know the pedestrian is there, or even work in tandem with automated braking in order to automatically brake in order to avoid a collision with the technology.
Recent developments in pedestrian detection technology include:
- LiDAR technology: While traditional pedestrian detection systems use cameras and radar to detect pedestrians, LiDAR technology uses laser beams to create detailed 3D maps of environments around vehicles. This allows for precise tracking and detection of pedestrians in even poor lighting conditions.
- Artificial intelligence: AI can analyze data which is gathered from LiDAR, radar and cameras, process it and accurately detect pedestrians by distinguishing pedestrians from other objects. It can also predict pedestrians’ behavior, anticipate possible hazards, and provide warnings to drivers in a timely manner.
Pedestrian accidents can be very costly, especially for businesses, since the injuries involved in pedestrian accidents are typically more severe than those seen in typical vehicle accidents. Pedestrian detection can go a long ways towards reducing the financial liability of businesses by preventing businesses’ drivers from colliding with pedestrians.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Traction control systems are designed to prevent traction loss. They prevent wheels from spinning during acceleration, especially on slippery surfaces. They get activated when torque transfer, engine power and throttle input are mismatched to the conditions of the road surface.
If you’re driving along and the traction control system is engaged, it may result in:
- Brake force being applied
- Suppression or reduction of spark sequence to cylinders
- Reducing the fuel supply to cylinders
- The throttle closing
- Boost control solenoids being actuated in turbocharged vehicles in order to reduce engine power
Recent advancements in traction control systems include:
- Hitachi has developed a traction control system utilizing AI which can prevent wheel slippage by predicting it. This system utilizes sensors which gather data, can improve performance and safety, and reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
- Traction control systems’ effectiveness relies heavily upon the speed and accuracy of sensors. Developments in sensors such as gyroscopes and high-resolution sensors of wheel speed can provide precise data for these systems.
Traction control systems can improve roadway safety by reducing accidents caused by the loss of control of a vehicle. They can be especially important for businesses who utilize drivers in areas with bad weather or dirt roads.
Remote Sensing Technology
This technology gives users the ability to measure things without being physically present.
Examples of remote sensing technology include:
- Drones: Drones can investigate workplace areas which may be dangerous for workers to physically enter into.
- Chemical detection: Remote sensing technology which can detect unsafe levels of chemicals and chemical spills can help prevent companies from facing lawsuits over exposure to dangerous chemicals, including exposure to toxic chemicals in agricultural locations.
Recent developments in remote sensing technology include:
- Artificial intelligence: AI can utilize remote sensing technology in order to automatically identify possible hazards and safety risks in the workplace, improving safety compliance and reducing the chance of accidents.
- Drone mapping: Drones can be utilized by businesses for the purposes of surveying and mapping. They can access hazardous, remote areas which are dangerous or difficult for humans to access. They can be used in infrastructure, archaeology, forestry or agriculture.
Remote sensing allows businesses to inspect areas which are dangerous for humans to inspect, reducing worker injuries in the process.
Vehicle-To-Vehicle Communication (V2V)
V2V technology let vehicles remain continuously aware of one another, improving roadway safety.
As an example, say your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you are both capable of V2V communication. Say the vehicle ahead of you brakes suddenly. With V2V communication, the vehicle ahead of you will send a warning to your vehicle that it is about to brake suddenly, allowing your vehicle to automatically brake instantly in response to the vehicle in front of you braking, potentially preventing a collision.
Advancements in V2V technology include:
- 5G: 5G will provide fast communications for fully autonomous vehicles so they can make real-time decisions. The ultra-low latency of 5G is crucial for V2V technology to communicate faster. 5G will allow for autonomous vehicles to automatically travel in convoys.
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Artificial intelligence and machine learning will allow vehicles to predict traffic patterns quickly by learning from historical data. They will also allow for vehicles to quickly identify and respond to complicated scenarios like unpredictable roadway conditions and pedestrian movements.
V2V technology is a critical technology for the advancement of autonomous vehicles which will be able to reduce traffic accidents, increase the efficiency of businesses, and reduce worker injuries and business liability for traffic accidents.
Interlock Devices
Ignition interlock devices are vehicle breathalyzers. They require drivers to blow into mouthpieces prior to starting vehicles or continuing to operate them. If the driver’s blood alcohol concentration is too high, the devices prevent engines from being started.
Recent advancements in interlock device technology include:
- Fuel cell technology: This technology detects alcohol levels more precisely than traditional semiconductor sensors.
- Remote monitoring and notification: This technology allows for alerts or smartphone notifications to be sent when devices detect issues like tampering attempts. Businesses could utilize this technology to discourage their drivers from trying to bypass or disable interlock devices.
Interlock devices improve roadway safety by keeping drunk drivers off the road. They’re a vital tool for businesses who wish to reduce their liability regarding their drivers causing accidents while driving drunk.
Night Vision
Automotive night vision systems use thermographic cameras to increase the seeing distance and perception of drivers at night or in bad weather. It can use infrared cameras, radar, LiDAR or GPS to detect and sense objects.
Display types for these system include high definition liquid-crystal displays, navigation systems or information screens, and heads-up displays on windshields.
Recent advancements in night vision technology include:
- Sensor technology and artificial intelligence: Advancements in sensor technology and AI can let vehicles identify vehicles, animals and pedestrians at night with increased accuracy, giving drivers real-time info regarding possible hazards.
- Integration: Overall driving safety can be enhanced by integrating night vision technology with adaptive headlights and collision avoidance systems.
Night vision technology can improve roadway safety by reducing nighttime collisions. It can be a vital tool for businesses looking to reduce worker injuries and reduce liability regarding nighttime collisions.
Jeffrey Nadrich
Jeffrey Nadrich is a nationally-recognized California plaintiff’s personal injury attorney. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and UC Hastings College of the Law. He has successfully represented thousands of injury clients over the last 40 years.
