Smartwatches and bands promise a range of features but the latest has the potential to save your life . Called AdvicyDrive , the wearable monitors your heart rate while driving to determine how awake you are . If it detects a drop in heart rate , which suggests you 're dozing off , it sounds an alarm on a connected smartphone . Scroll down for video . The AdvicyDrive sensor monitors your heart rate while driving to determine how awake you are . If it detects a drop in heart rate , which suggests you 're dozing off , it sounds an alarm on a smartphone ( illustrated ) When a person falls to sleep their heart rate drops by up around 10 to 30 beats per minute on average . To detect the most subtle of these changes , AdvicyDrive uses digital photoplethysmography ( PPG ) - an imaging test used to detect changes in blood flow at the microvascular level on the skin . Last year , researchers from the Biomechanics Institute in Valencia , Spain unveiled the Harken system . It measures the driver ’ s heart rate and breathing via a sensor system knitted into the seatbelt and seat cover . If the rates drop too much , a warning alarm goes off . Designer Jose Solaz said : ‘ The variation in heart and respiratory rate are good indicators of the state of the driver as they are related to fatigue . 'Harken can monitor those variables and warn the driver before the symptoms appear. ’ The researchers said the system is innovative because it can cancel out the motion of the car and only pick up heart and respiratory rate thanks to the ‘ smart textile materials ’ embedded in the seat cover and seatbelt . It 's typically used to monitor blood flow in people with Raynaud 's disease , for example , from their fingers and toes . The technology shines a green LED onto the skin , and based on the variations in colour that are reflected back , the sensor can detect the heartbeat . It uses a traffic-light system to monitor the beats and will issue a cautionary warning if it begins to drop into the 'amber ' section . The loud alarm rings when the rate reaches the 'red ' zone ' . Its Italian designers said : 'The pulsed light sensor technology is the best on the market in terms of stability , reliability even in motion and in terms of energy consumption . ' They added that the detection is on par with a chest band 'without the disadvantage of having to wear an uncomfortable strap ' . The clip can be fitted to a wristband but will also attach to a person 's underwear . It will work as long as its in contact with the skin . The sensor is currently under development , so these claims have not been put to the test , and the firm has launched a campaign on Kickstarter to fund the project . Kits are available to pre-order for £70 and will retail for £100 if the campaign is successful . To detect the most subtle of changes , AdvicyDrive uses digital photoplethysmography ( PPG ) - an imaging test used to detect changes in blood flow at the microvascular level on the skin . It shines a green LED onto the skin , and based on the variations in colour that are reflected back , the sensor can detect the heartbeat . The clip ( pictured ) can be fitted to a wristband but will also clip to a person 's underwear or clothes . It will work as long as its in contact with the skin . The sensor is currently under development , so these claims have not been put to the test , and the firm has launched a campaign on Kickstarter to fund the project . Last year , researchers from the Biomechanics Institute in Valencia , Spain unveiled the Harken system . It measures the driver ’ s heart rate and breathing via a sensor system knitted into the seatbelt and seat cover . If the rates drop too much , a warning alarm goes off . AdvicyDrive uses a traffic-light system to monitor the wearer 's heart rate . The app will ring an alarm when the rate reaches the 'red ' zone ' ( shown ) Designer Jose Solaz said : ‘ The variation in heart and respiratory rate are good indicators of the state of the driver as they are related to fatigue . Harken can monitor those variables and therefore warn the driver before the symptoms appear. ’ The researchers said the system is innovative because it can cancel out the motion of the car and only pick up heart and respiratory rate thanks to the ‘ smart textile materials ’ embedded in the seat cover and seatbelt . Crashes caused by tired drivers are most likely to happen on long journeys on monotonous roads , such as motorways , according to research . Young male drivers , lorry drivers , employees in company cars and shift workers have been found to be most at risk of falling asleep at the wheel . Research shows tiredness among drivers accounts for 20 to 35 per cent of serious accidents and suggests there are more than 6,000 fatalities a year in Europe because of driver fatigue .
AdvicyDrive monitors heart rate while driving to tell how awake you are . If it causes a drop in heart rate , which suggests you 're dozing off , it sounds an alarm on a connected smartphone . It uses digital photoplethysmography ( CT ) to track changes in blood flow . sensors can be fitted to a wrist but can also clip to a person 's underwear . Clip is under development and is available to pre - order from retailers .