Detection of driver health condition by monitoring driving behavior through machine learning from observation

Abstract

This paper describes our investigation to determine whether undesirable health conditions of an automobile driver can be identified in real time solely by monitoring and assessing his/her driving behavior. The concept has great potential to reduce the accident rate on roadways, especially for young inexperienced drivers who may be suffering from chronic health conditions that when uncontrolled, can result in dangerous driving actions. Our approach involves building models of “normal” and “abnormal” driving by an individual through machine learning from observation (MLfO, or simply LfO). Conceptually, discrepancies between actual driving actions taken by a driver in real time and the actions prescribed by a model of her/his normal driving, and/or similarities to a model of his/her abnormal driving, could indicate a dangerous medical condition. If appropriate, the system could alert the driver and/or the appropriate authorities (e.g., EMTs, police, or parents if a minor) of the potential for danger. More specifically, our research created models of human driving through the use of an LfO system developed previously in our laboratory called Force-feedback Approach to Learning from Coaching and Observation with Natural and Experiential Training (Falconet). Time-stamped traces of actions taken by 12 human test subjects in a driving simulator were collected and used to create the models of human driving behavior through Falconet. Then the overall actions prescribed by the models (called the agents) were compared to the original traces to ascertain whether similarities and/or differences between the human test subject behaviors and the agent behaviors could be indicative of the target conditions. In our use case presented here, the target condition was Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a condition that afflicts many driving age teenagers and which can be detrimental to safe driving when not under control through medication. The work described in this paper is exploratory in nature, with the objective of showing scientific feasibility. The results of extensive testing indicate that the agents created with the Falconet system produced promising results, being able to correctly characterize traces in up to nearly 82% of the test cases presented. Nevertheless, as is typical in such exploratory works, we found that much further work remains to be done before this concept becomes ready for commercial application. In this paper we describe the approach taken, the agents created and the extensive quantitative experiments conducted, as well as any insights learned. Areas of further research are also identified and discussed.