Chinese technology firm Huawei has patented a system that uses cameras to analyse divers’ stress levels and slow down or stop their cars if they develop road rage.

The tech, which could be used in future smart cars, uses thermal cameras to detect changes in blood pressure along with another camera to track the driver’s hands. If the system notices a driver make a gesture, such as a middle finger or fist, the car could be slowed down or brought to a halt.

Huawei’s patent also describes the use of an in-car microphone to monitor drivers’ speech for shouting and swearing.

It stated that frustrated drivers “typically react more erratically and, at times, with a slower reaction time”. The company also believes that causing the steering wheel to vibrate could help drivers to relax.

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In July, Jaguar Land Rover announced similar technology which used cameras and biometric sensors to monitor the mood of drivers.

The car could respond to a driver who was tired by lowering the car’s temperature or by beginning to play a specific playlist of music.

Jaguar Land Rover also developed cameras in headrests which monitor the facial expressions of passengers sitting in the rear seats. If the cameras detect sleepiness then they could automatically dim the passenger lighting in order to help passengers get to sleep.

Earlier this summer, Jaguar Land Rover unveiled AI technology it had developed to better understand changes in a driver’s mood while behind the wheel.

Its technology uses a driver-facing camera and biometric sensing to monitor and evaluate the driver’s mood and adapt a host of cabin features, including the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, media and ambient lighting. The settings will be altered in response to the driver’s facial expressions to help tackle stress.

The mood-detection system will use the latest AI techniques to continually adapt to nuances in the driver’s facial expressions and implement appropriate settings automatically. In time the system will learn a driver’s preference and make increasingly tailored adjustments.

Personalisation settings could include changing the ambient lighting to calming colours if the system detects the driver is under stress.

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