Guardian 2 is now available through Caterpillar dealers for use on light vehicles and on-highway trucks. The system monitors driver fatigue and distraction, and is similar to technology currently being used on mining trucks.
Seeing Machines Pty Ltd supplies the technology, and a new agreement with Caterpillar provides for the distribution arrangement. Guardian 2 system is an advanced, non-intrusive system that senses operator movements and analyzes them for symptoms of fatigue or distraction in light vehicle applications. Seat vibration and audio alarms alert operators when a microsleep or distraction event is detected—to effectively reduce dangerous and costly incidents.
Caterpillar produced a video explaining how the monitoring system works.
Guardian 2 joins the Driver Safety System (DSS), a rugged system for fatigue and distraction monitoring in off-highway vehicles, as part of the Cat MineStar Detect portfolio of safety technologies and services. Guardian 2 and DSS enable customers to cost effectively fit any vehicle in the fleet—heavy equipment, support vehicles, and highway vehicles—with monitoring systems supported by the local Cat dealer and linked to Caterpillar’s 24-hour Fatigue Monitoring.
Guardian 2 replaces the DSS-H system and features new driver monitoring software, which delivers expanded capabilities. The system employs an improved sensor for enhanced resolution and an expanded field of view inside the cab.
“The Guardian 2 system reduces the likelihood of safety incidents by alerting operators and keeping them focused on the job at hand,” said Mindy Elsasser, commercial manager for MineStar Detect products, in a prepared statement. “The monitoring services also provide near real-time alerts that inform supervisors of fatigue and distraction events, allowing them to respond quickly to help prevent further incidents.”
The system provides reports and analytics that enable site leaders to track patterns and determine if operators are having repeated fatigue or distraction events. Reports give managers visibility to the full impact of fatigue and distraction on safety and performance.
Onboard the vehicle, the system continuously measures operator head position and eye closure to determine the onset of fatigue or distracted behavior and delivers real-time detection and alerts. The driver-facing sensor and forward-facing camera require no input from the operator, and the driver is not required to wear any special equipment. As a result, the system allows the operator to focus on driving safely.
Source: Caterpillar
