Abstract: A surface shape variable device which comprises a board-like member comprising a plurality of strip elements capable of being elastically morphed which extend in parallel along a plane; and morphing control devises which elastically morph the strip elements due to buckling and the like toward a direction traversing the plane by applying stress to at least a part of the strip elements, wherein the strip elements are woven into a woven fabric-like state and extend intersecting with each other.

Abstract: In a first arousal level estimation device according to this invention, an initial residual setup unit sets a residual to be a reference of a driver, i.e., a residual with a smallest value during an initialization period as an initial residual among residuals calculated by a residual calculation unit during the initialization period from timing of starting an operation of a vehicle or timing of a change in a traveling scene including a condition of traveling road of the vehicle as a starting point till a predetermined period of time elapses. An arousal level estimation unit estimates a driver's arousal level based on a result of comparison between the initial residual set by the residual setup unit and the residual calculated by the residual calculation unit after the initialization period has elapsed. In this way, an estimation accuracy relating to a driver's state including a driver's arousal level is improved.

Abstract: A surface shape variable device which comprises a board-like member comprising a plurality of strip elements capable of being elastically morphed which extend in parallel along a plane; and morphing control devises which elastically morph the strip elements due to buckling and the like toward a direction traversing the plane by applying stress to at least a part of the strip elements, wherein the strip elements are woven into a woven fabric-like state and extend intersecting with each other.

Abstract: In a first arousal level estimation device according to this invention, an initial residual setup unit sets a residual to be a reference of a driver, i.e., a residual with a smallest value during an initialization period as an initial residual among residuals calculated by a residual calculation unit during the initialization period from timing of starting an operation of a vehicle or timing of a change in a traveling scene including a condition of traveling road of the vehicle as a starting point till a predetermined period of time elapses. An arousal level estimation unit estimates a driver's arousal level based on a result of comparison between the initial residual set by the residual setup unit and the residual calculated by the residual calculation unit after the initialization period has elapsed. In this way, an estimation accuracy relating to a driver's state including a driver's arousal level is improved.

Abstract: A driver state assessment device is provided in which when driver model identification means (M2) identifies a driver model showing a driver's input/output relationship using a difference between a target azimuth and an actual azimuth as a driver's input and an actual steering angle as a driver's output, driver model amount of operation acquisition means (M3) acquires a driver model steering angle by inputting a current azimuth deviation into the driver model, and driver state assessment means (M4) calculates a difference between a current actual steering angle and a driver model steering angle as a residual error and assesses the driver's state based on the residual error. Therefore, since the residual error is an index that represents a fluctuation component, a noise component, a non-linear component, etc. obtained from the driver model, it is possible to assess, with high precision, the driver's state, in particular a low wakefulness state of the driver, based on this residual error.

Abstract: A driver state assessment device is provided in which when driver model identification means (M2) identifies a driver model showing a driver's input/output relationship using a difference between a target azimuth and an actual azimuth as a driver's input and an actual steering angle as a driver's output, driver model amount of operation acquisition means (M3) acquires a driver model steering angle by inputting a current azimuth deviation into the driver model, and driver state assessment means (M4) calculates a difference between a current actual steering angle and a driver model steering angle as a residual error and assesses the driver's state based on the residual error. Therefore, since the residual error is an index that represents a fluctuation component, a noise component, a non-linear component, etc. obtained from the driver model, it is possible to assess, with high precision, the driver's state, in particular a low wakefulness state of the driver, based on this residual error.