The Development of IoT-Enabled Drowsy Driver Alert System for Enhanced Road Safety

Microsleep is characterized by brief and involuntary sleep episodes, and is a critical safety issue linked to accidents, particularly in transportation. Factors such as long working hours and unhealthy habits exacerbate the prevalence of drowsiness-related incidents. This research presents an IoT-enabled Drowsy Driver Alert System designed to mitigate microsleep risks and enhance road safety. The system integrates a heart rate sensor, IoT connectivity and real-time alerts, including vibrations and mist diffusion, to avoid accidents caused by drowsy driving. Employing a transmitter-receiver setup, the system detects heart rate fluctuations indicative of microsleep and triggers immediate alerts to re-energize the driver. Prototyped and validated through rigorous simulations and real-world testing, the system demonstrated over 75% connectivity reliability and effective operation within a 2-meter range. Furthermore, its email notification feature achieved a 77% success rate, ensuring timely alerts even in passive monitoring scenarios. This affordable, user-friendly innovation addresses limitations of existing solutions, providing a scalable approach to road safety. By reducing drowsiness-related incidents, this system contributes significantly to accident prevention strategies and underscores the potential of IoT in safety-critical applications. Future improvements, including enhanced sensor calibration and alternative communication methods, could further refine system accuracy and robustness.