focus on vision-based methods (M. S. Devi and P. R.
Bajaj, 2008) (e.g., RGB cameras) and wearable
devices (J. Lu and C. Qi,2021), (D. Mistry et., al.
2023), (R. J. Wood et., al. 2012), (K. Madushani et.,
al. 2021) (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes). While
wearable sensors provide accurate data, they require
user compliance, making them less practical for
continuous monitoring. Vision-based systems offer a
non-intrusive alternative but pose privacy concerns.
Wearable sensors, such as accelerometers and
EMG, track physiological changes like heart rate
variability (HRV) for fatigue detection (B.-L. Lee et.,
al. 2015). While effective, they require user
compliance and can be uncomfortable for prolonged
monitoring. Computer vision techniques analyze eye-
tracking and facial expressions (e.g., blinking,
yawning) to infer fatigue. Deep learning models like
CNNs and LSTMs (L. Lou and T. Yue, 2023)
enhance accuracy, but privacy concerns limit their
adoption in workplace settings. Recent studies
combine multiple data sources to improve fatigue
detection. Feature-level fusion integrates signals from
different modalities, while decision-level fusion
combines classifier outputs. Attention mechanisms
further enhance interpretability and robustness. Deep
learning models outperform traditional classifiers in
recognizing fatigue patterns. CNNs are widely used
for image-based analysis, while YOLO enables real-
time posture detection. Hybrid models integrating
deep learning with classifiers like Random Forest
further boost accuracy.
Besides just spotting physical fatigue, researchers
are also finding ways to understand mental
exhaustion by looking at how people use their
screens. Simple things like which apps someone is
using, how often they type, or how they move their
mouse can reveal whether they’re focused or getting
distracted.
New AI tools can even recognize what’s on the
screen, making it easier to tell if someone is working
or drifting into non-work activities. By blending
screen activity tracking with traditional fatigue
detection, we get a more complete view of how
people stay engaged. This helps create a healthier,
more productive work environment without being
intrusive.
3 RESEARCH GAP AND
CONTRIBUTION
Existing fatigue detection approaches are either
expression (J. Jiménez-Pinto and M. Torres-Torriti,
2015), (S. Park et., al. 2019), (S. Hussain et., al. 2019)
based or posture (S. Park et., al. 2019), (J. Lu and C.
Qi,2021) based, not both. That can make them less
effective because people express tiredness
differently. Plus, many of the so-called traditional
methods (M. S. Devi and P. R. Bajaj, 2008) depend
on human-based feature selection, which are not
always environment-agnostic. Studies indicate that
masking fatigue through multiple sources of input—
from facial signals to body position or work habits—
can increase accuracy by as much as 20%, compared
to using a single form of detection.
To solve this problem, we built an AI engine that
uses RCNNs to analyse faces, YOLO for posture
tracking and Random Forest for decision making.
Research shows that models like Random Forest are
immensely successful in a fatiguing context as they
help identify patterns on higher-level, by analysing
higher quantities of real-world data. It works in real
time, with lightweight, open source tools and is
inexpensive and easy to implement in any workplace.
We’ve also built in screen activity, to track how
engaged a person is with their work. We flag signs of
mental fatigue or distraction by analysing which apps
people use, recognizing on-screen content and
detecting long periods of inactivity. Research also
suggests that app-switching regularly, or inactivity in
digital spaces, can be a sign of cognitive load. As a
result, the system leverages a blend of both physical
and digital fatigue measures in a comprehensive,
privacy-compliant approach that encourages
improved focus and output.
4 METHODOLOGY AND
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
In the world of work, fatigue detection methods play
an important role. Real-time monitoring of fatigue
can play a significant role in preventing sleepiness
related accidents or in increasing productivity during
long hours of work.
This study suggests an AI-enabled fatigue detection
solution that integrates:
• Drowsiness classification
based on deep
learning (YOLOv11)
• Video-based facial landmark tracking (via
Media Pipe)
• Real-time monitoring (OpenCV)
• Environment detection