A thinking time reaction tester – award-winning design in the Young Electronic Designer Awards 2002.

The Driver Alert project allows drivers to test their own thinking/reaction times. Reaction times are affected by many factors, such as alcohol, drugs, general medical conditions, and tiredness. Unfortunately, during extensive tests using volunteers who consumed large quantities of beer, it was found that sheer reaction time is not greatly affected – particularly if the person is poised waiting for something to happen. This is quite unlike driving a car, where anything can happen at any time, and so concentration and thinking times are critical.

Thus, the project described here tests the “driver’s” ability to concentrate, think and react. The beer tests now provided more dramatic results. A mobile phone test was also devised, and, surprisingly it was found that speaking on a mobile phone, including a hands-free unit gave similar results to drinking four cans of lager!