Abarth trial facial recognition technology to monitor drivers

Performance car brand, Abarth, has become the first manufacturer to trial facial recognition technology to better understand the emotions experienced when in its car. The trial, which is in partnership with Loughborough University, saw drivers participate in events to measure their excitement and, in some cases, fear.Driving an Abarth F595, 595 Esseesse and 595 Competizione, participants were put through a number of driving challenges.These included hot laps, precision driving tasks, and chase scenarios at Mallory Park, Leicestershire. Emotions including happiness, excitement, and fear were then measured as passengers were driven by professional drivers.The results showed the most prominent feeling during a hot lap was happiness, both when behind the wheel (31.8 percent) and as a passenger (35.4 percent).READ MORE: New E10 petrol changes to be introduced today Abarth trial facial recognition technology to monitor drivers with plans to ‘explore’ further. (Image: Abarth) The brand has become the first manufacturer to trial facial recognition technology. (Image: Abarth)When driven by professional drivers who pushed the car to its full potential, participants experienced short bursts of fear and shock (11.9 percent), contributing to a thrilling track day experience.State-of-the-art facial recognition technology was used alongside heart rate sensors – Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Photoplethysmography (PPG).The data was then analysed using DeepFace Python library and Facial Emotion Recognition library.This allowed the Italian car manufacturer to accurately detect an array of emotions among individuals.DON’T MISSCar headlights are a ‘significant road safety risk’ [WARNING]Major E10 petrol changes to be introduced next week [INSIGHT]UK motorists warned of driving law changes in November [SHOCKING] The brand hopes the technology will help make their cars more exciting. (Image: Abarth)This will recognise the driver’s face to control the door lock, seat, steering wheel, side mirrors and infotainment.According to the brand, Face Connect can register up to two faces for each vehicle, and new profiles can be registered conveniently using voice assistant.Registered faces are encrypted and safely stored in the vehicle without security risk, and can be deleted any time at the driver’s convenience.The technology will even ‘liberate’ drivers from the need to carry keys with them all the time. If a driver leaves their smart key in the car, the vehicle can be locked using the face recognition system.