Evaluating Stress Through Thermal Imaging Cameras

Abstract

There is evidence that a high cognitive workload may hamper human performance. In the context of piloting, it is important to investigate the factors that induce such situations. This can be done using sensors that capture behavioral and physiological responses. However, used sensors are often cumbersome and require physical contact (EEC, fNIRS). We need sensors that can operate and access physiological parameters uninvasively. In this sense, thermal imagingbased physiological monitoring is an active research topic. It grants remote and unobtrusive access to the distribution of the temperature on the surface of objects and skin, by interpreting the emitted electromagnetic radiations reflected on the surface. Therefore, physiological behaviors can be remotely evaluated through thermal cameras. Recent developments of small and pervasive devices provide affordable mobile thermal image cameras.