Abstract: An attention calling system for a vehicle, which is capable of performing an alarm by presenting tactile information while causing a driver to have a feeling of being convinced and a feeling of trust, thereby making it possible to effectively and appropriately call attention of the driver. In the attention calling system according to the present invention, the attention level of the driver is estimated, and an abnormal behavior (unstableness) of the vehicle is detected. Then, on condition that the estimated attention level of the driver is lower than a predetermined level and the abnormal behavior of the vehicle is detected, the tactile information is presented to the driver as an alarm for calling attention of the driver.

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: An attention calling system for a vehicle, which is capable of performing an alarm by presenting tactile information while causing a driver to have a feeling of being convinced and a feeling of trust, thereby making it possible to effectively and appropriately call attention of the driver. In the attention calling system according to the present invention, the attention level of the driver is estimated, and an abnormal behavior (unstableness) of the vehicle is detected. Then, on condition that the estimated attention level of the driver is lower than a predetermined level and the abnormal behavior of the vehicle is detected, the tactile information is presented to the driver as an alarm for calling attention of the driver.

Abstract: A driver state determination system capable of accurately determining a state of vigilance of a driver, for a vehicle in which steering assist control is performed. The driver state determination system includes an ECU. The ECU performs LKAS control or normal control based on an ON/OFF state of an LKAS switch. During execution of the LKAS control, the ECU sets a vigilance level using a steering torque. During no-execution of the LKAS control, the ECU sets the vigilance level using a steering angle.

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.