New biosensor built into seat belts tracks driver stress and health levels

A breakthrough in biosensor technology could enable real-time monitoring of driver and pilot stress and alertness. Developed by researchers at the National University of Singapore and Tsinghua University, the device, integrated into seat belts, tracks heart rate and breathing without the need for direct skin contact. This innovation, detailed in Nature Electronics, promises to improve the safety of vehicles and aircraft by reliably collecting cardiopulmonary data, even in dynamic environments.

The device incorporates metamaterials, which are advanced engineering materials, to optimize signal transmission. Comb-shaped conductive threads are embroidered into the seat belt, allowing radio waves to interact with the user’s body. Xi Tian, ​​co-author of studyexplained that this design helps minimize environmental interference, such as vibrations from moving vehicles, while maintaining sensitivity to physiological signals. A processing system has been put in place to ensure that the data collected remains consistent and reliable during movement.

Real-world testing highlights reliability

Tests carried out in a car and airplane cabin simulator revealed the biosensor’s ability to adapt to the user’s body and detect physiological signals in harsh conditions. It maintained accuracy during a 1.5-hour vehicle ride in Singapore and identified heart rate variations in aircraft settings, enabling sleep-wake detection. Tian noted that these results demonstrate the device’s potential for consistent health monitoring in varied environments.

Future applications and advances

Further research aims to refine the technology for mass production, with an emphasis on compact, cost-effective designs. Tian said collaborations with automakers are planned to validate the system in real-world applications. The development of algorithms to interpret data for fatigue and stress assessments is also underway. This biosensor could become an essential element in transport, helping to prevent accidents by ensuring that drivers and pilots remain alert.