e2Drive: Enhancing Urban Mobility and Safety for Physically Disabled Drivers Through Smart Sensor System

The e2DriveR&D initiative addresses the critical need for improved urban mobility solutions for people with physical disabilities. This project involves the development of an innovative electric vehicle (EV) equipped with an intelligent driver control system, focusing particularly on the integration of a smart sensor system designed to enhance safety and mobility for drivers with reduced physical capabilities. In this article, we explore the advanced research and technological design of the smart sensor system integrated within the e2Drivevehicle. The system incorporates a range of sensors to monitor vital signs such as heart rate, breathing rhythm, eye blinking, real-time driving patterns through an On Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) sensor, and the status of the lock mechanism for the wheelchair. An associated mobile app is designed to alert predefined contacts or emergency services when anomalies are detected, thereby significantly enhancing driver safety. Tests demonstrated the system’s efficacy in monitoring driving behavior and vital signs, with the alert system effectively warning of detected anomalies, confirming its potential to significantly improve the safety and health monitoring of physically disabled drivers. The huge potential of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for detecting driving anomalies (fatigue or health issues) remains promising for future enhancements.