Assessing the Effectiveness of Increased F{sub}IO{sub}2 for Enhancing Driver's Activation State Using Simulated Monotonous Driving

摘要

Lowering of what we term a driver's Activation State (AS) during monotonous driving conditions may increase the risk of an accident. To develop an in-car environment that allows active driving -"Biofeedforward System" - we have investigated the effects of applying a stimulus of increased inspired oxygen fraction (F{sub}IO{sub}2) supply on a driver's AS, using simulated monotonous driving. We used our previously substantiated index of AS derived from beat-by-beat blood pressure (BP) response following an electrical stimulus. We have made physiological measurements including BP and found that the increased F{sub}IO{sub}2 stimulus is effective in enhancing the AS. This finding was also confirmed in terms of the autonomic activity balance as well as the lengthening in time for active, safer, driving.