First showing of heart rate-based driver alertness system

Plessey and SEGULA Technologies are demonstrating the seatback wellbeing system in a full size automotive model on the SEGULA Technologies stand number 202 during the show. It is based on the patented Plessey EPIC non-contact, capacitive, seatback heart rate sensing technology. This will be the first public showing of the EPIC seatback system.

Otherwise known as the Mondial de l'Automobile, the Paris Motor show is held every other year and is one of the biggest events in the motoring calendar.

Alan Colman, Commercial Operations Director at Plessey, said: “Plessey's award winning EPIC sensor technology has been creating considerable interest with car manufacturers as it can be used to provide low cost, reliable detection systems for several automotive applications. We are very excited to be bringing our innovative technology to market and showcase this for the first time to the press and public on the SEGULA Technologies stand.”

Franck Vigot, CEO of the Automotive Department, SEGULA Technologies said: “This year at the Paris Motor Show, we are presenting Hagora Pulse, a bundle of technology in a single concept car, focusing on Connected driving and health. Among all the innovations of the next generation of e-sense, the application that lets you take control of the vehicle’s dashboard, we selected Plessey’s award winning EPIC sensor technology: integrated in the cabin of the vehicle, it monitors vital signs for a swifter emergency service response”.

Plessey’s seatback system utilises its patented, award winning EPIC sensing technology which detects changes in electric potential. The seatback system senses the electrical impulses of the heart without direct skin contact and can return an accurate R peak signal from the users ECG which can be used to calculate HRV. The EPIC sensor electrodes can be easily and discretely incorporated inside the seatbacks to access the necessary biometric signals. This is the first step on the road to a non-contact drowsiness detection system.

Product demonstrations presented by technical and design experts, providing an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of its latest innovative solution for the automotive industry will be held during the show that opens to the public on 1^st October until Sunday 16^th October.