Automatic system for detecting driver use of mobile phones

This paper presents the preliminary results for an automatic electronic system for detecting driver use of mobile phones for voice communications. An electronic circuit (Radio Frequency harvesting) captures the power generated by mobile-phone use and two antennae located inside the vehicle and a signal analysis algorithm are used to identify when the driver is using a mobile phone. Practical tests have been conducted in which the event is detected in the worst operating conditions. The system could be used in research work into automatic detection of mobile-phone use (instead of using autotest or direct human inspection), in automobile insurance as part of a “Pay-As-You-Drive” system, or even in implementation of automated safety devices inside the vehicle.

Research highlights► Automatic electronic system for detecting driver use of mobile phones. ► Could be integrated into the Pay-As-You-Drive concept. ► An automatic mobile-phone-use detection system has never been used before.