- OPTALERT -
Glasses for Safe Driving
http://studio.optalert.com/
"Optalert measures the movements of your left eye and eyelids, and from that derives a measure of your level of alertness/drowsiness every minute while driving (http://studio.optalert.com)."
___Optalert Glasses with lenses removed___
"Optalert is a personal safety device that warns users to their early signs of drowsiness, before it becomes dangerous (http://studio.optalert.com)."
___Glasses with USB Cable______________Dashboard Indicator___
INITIAL ATTRACTION TO THIS DESIGN:
When I found this design initially at www.core77.com, I immediately thought of the countless times I have driven to London with my mother and father to visit my brother at the University of Western Ontario. I'm sure anyone who has taken the 403/401 route will agree that the long stretches of 2 lane highway between Hamilton and London can be a very dull drive. Often, my father and I will debate over who is in a better position to drive and we constantly have to struggle to convince my mother that either of us are fit to handle the two hour trip.
Even for the best of drivers, being well rested and having a cup of coffee in hand may not be enough to keep one alert while driving late at night. Most of the roadways are unlit by overhead lamps, and the surroundings are mostly farming fields (IE. a lack of buildings only add to the poor lighting situation). The white dividing lines, illuminated by the cars headlamps, speed by and become so brain-numbing that they almost seem to put you to sleep.
The Optalert glasses seem like they would do a great job of bettering the safety of the driver, as well as comforting the passengers within the automobile. With that being said, if these glasses can better my saftey, as well as stop my mother from pestering me while driving... well then it's a win-win situation!... SIGN ME UP! (*just jokin' mom*)
GOOD INTERACTION DESIGN
-Trustworthiness-
Upon first glances, this product seems as if it is very well crafted and manufactured. If well cared for, this product looks to be durable and long lasting. The images of the internal workings/mechanics of the product let the user know that a lot of work and time went into researching the dangers of drowsy driving, and that a solution to lower these dangers was arrived at. I suspect an object like this would inspire the viewer to look further into its design, history, and manufacturing processes. If so, the website that was developed to describe the product is clean, nicely compiled, and is very informative.
-Appropriate-
This product appears to be exceedingly appropriate for any society/culture in which driving is deemed a necessity. Although we are currently witnessing an urgent need to decrease the strain felt by our planet, like that caused by our vehicles dangerous exhaust emissions, it appears that the need for automobiles will remain high for the foreseeable future. Since automobiles remain an important means for transportation, I believe it is important to not only consider the health of our planet, but the well being of those that live on it as well. By designing an object like the Optalert glasses, it is possible to decrease the number of deaths caused by drowsy driving.
I think this design may be most appropriate for those in the transport industry (IE. Truck drivers) who are often required to drive long distances with little sleep in order to make delivery deadlines.
-Smart-
This design is very smart because it was designed to constantly assess the drivers alertness which requires some pretty serious technology! I have seen other products that claim to measure driver alertness, but many seem to be primitive in nature when compared to the Optalert glasses. Instead of measuring the drivers eyes/eyelids, the products that I have seen in the past merely detect when the drivers head falls forward or to the side. In many cases, alarming the driver that his/her head has fallen may be too late (IE. in that time, one may have already driven into a guard rail, off the road, or even into oncoming traffic).
The only problem with this product may not be the design itself, but with the user. Because the glasses are so technologically sound/smart, the driver may decide to drive even though they are not physically/mentally suited to do so. Instead of using them as a precautionary safety device, some users may instead use them as a 'crutch,' believing it will enable them to drive.
-Responsiveness-
The device is fitted with a dashboard indicator to let the driver know that it is online and functioning. When the driver becomes drowsy, the glasses detect a change in responsiveness, and the dashboard indicator will respond with a visual, as well as auditory alert. To ensure the highest level of safety and security, the dashboard indicator responds imediately.
-Clever-
I'm sure this product will most definitely envoke a sense of delight in the user. Just as a seatbelt creates an added sense of safety, these glasses should do the same. When used in combination with a safe automobile (ex. 5 star safety rating), I'm sure the driver and passengers will be very pleased to know their safety has not been taken for granted. If the driver/passengers experience a 'close call' where they could have been in a serious accident had it not been for the utilization of the glasses, I'm sure the sublime feeling of utter saftey would only be greatly magnified.
-Lucid-
Because this product revolves around safety, I don't believe there is much play involved, and I'm sure the driver and his/her passengers would understand and respect its importance. The only way I could see play involved is if the driver were to test the product before using it while driving (ex. pretending to be drowsy/tired in an attempt to trigger an alert).
-Pleasurable-
These glasses look to be well crafted and allow for alterations (IE. the lenses can be changed depending on the conditions - tinted for daytime driving, clear for night). I'm sure many would find them to be attractive, but if not, I don't see a need for them to be. I don't believe safety needs to be beautified. If the product decreases the number deaths due to drowsy driving, I think that's attractive enough as it is!
INTRIGUING DESIGN ELEMENTS
If I was present during the design process, I would have loved to take part in the initial idea formation. I love to sketch how product might look when it is later produced. I know I said that appearance is not necessarily important when it comes to a safety device like the Optalert glasses, but if I had some say, I think I would have changed the shape of the frames and lenses. In my opinion, they look to similar to a style that Oakley would produce. I think it may have been better to go with something a little more unique, but that's just my opinion...
References:
www.core77.com, http://studio.optalert.com
Post by: Kurt Limeback.
