Real-Time Driver Drowsiness Detection System using IoT-based Physiological Monitoring and Web Interface

Driver drowsiness is a critical safety issue and a leading cause of road accidents worldwide. This paper proposes a real-time system for driver drowsiness detection and location tracking based on the NodeMCU microcontroller. The system integrates an infrared (IR) eye-blink sensor, a pulse sensor, and a GPS module to monitor the driver’s physiological state and real-time location. The IR sensor captures variations in eye activity, while the pulse sensor measures heart rate variability— both serving as key indicators of drowsiness. A threshold-based algorithm processes the sensor data on the NodeMCU to detect signs of fatigue. Upon detection, the system triggers a buzzer to alert the driver. Additionally, a web interface hosted by the NodeMCU displays live sensor data and provides a dynamic map link to the driver’s current location. This feature enables remote monitoring and supports timely intervention in the event of a drowsiness-induced incident. Experimental results demonstrate the system’s effectiveness in accurately detecting drowsiness and issuing real-time alerts. The proposed system offers a low-cost, efficient solution to improve road safety through physiological monitoring and location-based assistance.