Authors:
Diana Schif
1
;
Ulrich Theodor Schwarz
2
and
Holger Forst
1
Affiliations:
1
BMW AG, Knorrstraße, Munich, Germany
;
2
Department of Physics, TU Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
Keyword(s):
Sweat, Perspiration, Thermal Imaging, Thermal Comfort, Vehicle.
Abstract:
In addition to autonomous driving, the automation of comfort functions is currently one of the development
focuses of the automotive industry. In particular, the automation of the climate function is considered, as
manual operation often leads to distraction from the driving task. In order to implement this automation,
various data about the vehicle interior and the occupants are needed. Besides interior temperature, gender or air
speed, the sweat status of the occupants is relevant. In this work it is examined to what extent the sweat status
can be detected with the help of a thermal imaging camera. The aim is to show if it is possible to distinguish
the status not sweating, shortly before sweating and sweating using thermal imaging. For this the part of the
thermal image showing the forehead is analyzed. More specifically, the difference between minimum and
maximum temperature is compared for the different sweat statuses. At an ambient air temperature of 21 °C
the thermal
comfort level and sweat status of 20 subjects is inquired and skin temperature is measured by a
thermal camera during sport activity. Results indicate that there is a significant difference (p < 0.05) between
status not sweating and shortly before sweating and also between status not sweating and sweating. Sweat
can therefore be detected with the help of thermal imaging cameras. This result provides important input for
automated air conditioning. If sweat is detected for one or more occupants, then with the climate control a
corresponding regulation can take place to dry the sweat and to prevent further sweating.
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