Researchers at the Technical University of Liberec in Czechia have harnessed the realism of Euro Truck Simulator 2 to advance driver fatigue monitoring. Led by Mr. Martinka from the Faculty of Textiles, the team integrated smart t-shirts equipped with sensors to track vital signs, utilizing the game to replicate authentic driving conditions. This approach enabled safe and controlled simulations of prolonged driving sessions, essential for studying fatigue without real-world risks.
The research involved constructing a simulator featuring a real car seat and steering wheel within a classroom setting. Participants engaged in continuous driving sessions, sometimes starting at 6 a.m. and concluding around 2 or 3 p.m., accumulating up to seven hours behind the wheel. This setup allowed the team to monitor breathing patterns and identify moments when drivers entered microsleep—a brief, unintended episode of sleep that can lead to accidents.
