Conformal Microwave Sensor for Enhanced Driving Posture Monitoring and Thermal Comfort in Automotive Sector

The correlation> between driving posture and overall health is paramount, underscoring the necessity of maintaining proper seating positions for individuals. Prolonged periods of incorrect posture significantly contribute to the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among sedentary workers. The proposed research presents a novel approach utilizing a conformal and cost-effective body-coupled microwave sensor for monitoring driving positions and enhancing thermal comfort in the automotive sector. Integrated into the backrest of the vehicle seat, the sensor employs microwave-sensing elements to detect various driving postures based on shifts in resonant frequency. Through trials involving 12 participants, including 10 drivers adopting four distinct driving postures, and validation with machine learning classifiers, the effectiveness and reliability of the prototype are demonstrated. Subsequent integration with a Peltier cooling system and dashboard display further enhances occupant thermal comfort by accurately recognizing driving postures, providing corrective messages, and automatically activating the cooling system as needed.