KARACHI: Amid growing concerns over road accidents involving trailers, oil tankers and other heavy vehicles, students of the Electrical Department at Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT), Karachi, have developed a low-cost system designed to detect driver drowsiness and help prevent accidents.
The “Anti-Sleep Car Alarm System” has been developed by students Khizar Sheikh and Kamran Ali under the supervision of their adviser, Imran Akhtar. The system uses an infrared sensor to monitor the driver’s eyes and identify signs of drowsiness.
If the driver’s eyes remain closed beyond a specified period, the system activates a buzzer to alert the driver and help restore their attention to the road.
The project is particularly aimed at drivers of trailers, oil tankers and other heavy vehicles who frequently undertake long journeys and may remain behind the wheel for several hours without adequate rest. Fatigue and drowsiness can reduce concentration and reaction time, significantly increasing the risk of road accidents.
According to the project team, the system has also been designed with an automatic vehicle-stopping feature that can be activated when severe drowsiness is detected. The proposed feature is intended to prevent a vehicle from continuing to move when the driver is no longer able to remain attentive.
A microcontroller continuously processes information received from the infrared sensor and monitors the driver’s condition in real time. The compact system operates on a nine-volt battery, requires little space and can be installed on a vehicle’s dashboard.
Project adviser Imran Akhtar said the initiative was aimed at developing an affordable, locally produced alternative to costly driver-safety systems.
He said that with further testing, refinement and technical development, the system could potentially be adapted for use in both ordinary cars and heavy transport vehicles.
The project was presented at AIT’s Project Exhibition 2026, where students showcased technology-based solutions to everyday challenges. The initiative reflects the potential of local student innovation to address road-safety issues and contribute to protecting lives on Pakistan’s highways and urban roads.
