In partnership with Sweden's Linkoping University, Saab has started testing a driver fatigue warning system on eight-month trial.

Drive Attention Warning System allows tracking of eye and head movements through two tiny infra-red cameras (one at the base of the windscreen pillar and another in the dashboard). It also analyses eyelid movement and sustained drifting of attention from the road ahead.

The system can also send text messages to the dashboards display, voice messages and vibrations to the driver's seat cushion. With the ultimate command "You are dangerously tired – stop as soon as it is safe to do so!", the voice messages seems to get persistently more stem.

A Saab 9.3 SportCombi was the vehicle that has been tested. It was developed by the Human Vehicle Integration team in Trollhatten.

According to HVI head Arne Nabo, "It is a fact that many drivers do not stop and get out of the car if they are feeling drowsy. So we are now trying to help drivers to help themselves." "This system also helps prevent a dangerous habit we call 'cognitive capturing'. For example, the driver can become too absorbed in searching for a favourite CD, programming pre-sets into the radio or trying to pick up a screaming baby's pacifier form the floor," he explained. Saab said that all those behaviours mentioned will be monitored and admonished.

Well, maybe it would be great to test it ourselves.