Comparison of Driver Fatigue Trend on simulator and on-road driving based on EMG correlation

Electromyography (EMG) is considered to be the good measure of muscles activity and also known as the gold standard for estimating muscle fatigue. In this study, we have estimated association between EMG acquired from 60 min of simulator driving and EMG acquired from 60 min of on-road driving period. Twenty five male subjects participated in this study on their own volition. EMG electrodes were placed at three muscle group namely, trapezius medial (TM), latissimus dorsi medial (LDM), and erector spinae (ES) muscle group bilaterally. Mean power frequency (MPF) was calculated as a frequency domain analysis of EMG signal acquired from both simulator and on-road. Mean squared coherence (MSC) analysis was applied between EMG (Simulator) and EMG (on-road). In the result, we found significant (p>0.05) correlation between EMG (Simulator) and EMG (on-road) signals which was 0.91±0.04. Based on this finding, EMG study performed on the simulator can be used a surrogate of EMG on-road study.