Buzzing Gizmos Keep Drivers Awake

Japanese drivers worried about falling asleep at the wheel now have a couple of options to keep them awake. Dory mentioned the MyDo Bururu vibrating glasses, which come with a little motor that kicks in when the head drops below a certain angle. These vibrating spectacles may be ideal for students cramming the night before a big exam, but will the vibrations be powerful enough to keep a driver awake at night? I hope so. Then again, I agree with Dory, in that a good night sleep is probably a wiser choice.

A more affordable (¥1,200 or $10.30) alarm system available to Japanese drivers, is the Revex's Drowse Prevention Alarm. This particular gizmo looks like any other headset, except this one lets out a screeching alarm in the ear, should the head drop down 10 degrees below the allowed head-tilt. To me this method sounds a little more drastic, since the driver will most likely jerk the wheel after being awakened, but I guess that really depends on how loud they set the alarm. Regardless, it might be a safer alternative to NoDoz or all the other drugs they sell at truckstops.

Vibrating Glasses Shake You Awake
Tech Doesn't Kill, Bad Habits Do