New Device Will Reduce Number Of Fatalities Caused By Drowsy Drivers

  Remote Sensing, Complexity Science, Machine Learning and Other New Mexico
                     'Big Thinking' Behind New Technology

    SANTA FE, N.M., Feb. 19 Advanced Safety Concepts, Inc.
(ASCI) and Complexica, Inc. today announced that their joint collaboration to
develop a new safety device will significantly reduce the number of traffic
fatalities caused by drowsy or impaired drivers.  The new product, called
MINDS (MicroNod Detection System), applies sensing and detection, machine
learning and complexity science to automotive safety applications.  The
low-cost device sits in the roof of an automobile and triggers alerts when
drowsiness is observed.

    Developed with technologies from the New Mexico based Sandia and Los
Alamos National Laboratories and the Santa Fe Institute, MINDS uses advanced
neural network technology to read how each particular driver holds their head
when fully alert and detects drowsy behavior.  Alerting devices are then
activated according to the degree of inattentiveness of the driver.  The
device learns specific behavior patterns of individuals and can distinguish
among several drivers of a given vehicle.

    "When we tested this research with our snowplow operators, we knew we were
sitting on the edge of what would become the standard for all future drivers,"
said David Albright, Research Bureau Chief of the New Mexico State Highway &
Transportation Department.  "We are making it safer to go home each night."

    Technology Saving Lives

    Even more deaths may be caused by drowsy drivers than by intoxicated
drivers, according to a recent study reported in Occupational and
Environmental Medicine.  The study found that "staying awake for 17 to 19
hours -- a normal working day for many people -- can dampen your mental and
physical reaction times as dramatically as two drinks."

    "MINDS has four great features," said Philip Kithil, President of Advanced
Safety Concepts, Inc.  "It operates in real time, it anticipates drivers
becoming sleepy, it is inexpensive, and it can be installed in new vehicles or
retrofitted into existing cars, trucks, buses, and fleet vehicles."  Recent
testes indicate that MINDS is able to detect drowsy behavior with much greater
accuracy than human observers.  "Currently this device works better than
anything on the market, or even contemplated for the market," said Kithil.
"Over 8,500 persons are killed yearly in accidents in which drowsiness is the
cause, according to Government data.  If we can prevent just 25 percent of
these deaths, we've saved 2000 lives each year."

    Advanced Safety Concepts, Inc. and Complexica, Inc. formed the strategic
alliance to explore automotive safety applications utilizing machine learning
and complexity science.  "The success of the project is a direct result of the
synergy among various high-tech companies forming in the Santa Fe area," said
Roger Jones, CEO of Complexica.

    Several manufacturing agreements have been signed or are in negotiation.
"If things go well, we should see the MINDS system in 2004-2005 model cars,"
said Kithil.