(TNS) — New cars are loaded with sensors and cameras these days, and one of the newest places is inside the rearview mirror, facing back toward the driver and passengers.
Magna International, a Canadian-based auto parts manufacturer with U.S. headquarters in Troy, spent several years developing infrared cameras and electronic systems hidden inside mirrors to monitor drivers and passengers. .
“The problem we're trying to solve is distracted driving,” said Nathan Pastor, the company's global product manager.
In 2022, the most recent year for which data is available, approximately 3,308 people died and 289,310 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Michigan, there were 15,441 distracted driver crashes in 2022, resulting in 57 deaths.
Magna's driver monitoring system is by no means the only type. Automakers such as AB Volvo, Subaru, General Motors, Ford Motor Co., Tesla, and Mercedes-Benz Group AG have installed the cameras in at least some models, and camera locations vary from the steering column to the camera. Secure the A-pillar to the top of the windshield. Some systems can detect when a driver takes their hands off the steering wheel without using a camera.
Magna says its mirror system is different because it provides a complete view of the driver's face and upper body, as well as the occupants, while being hidden inside existing mirror designs.
“We know when the driver is distracted, so we can utilize tools in the car to bring the driver back to an alert state,” Pastor said during a recent demonstration of the system. Ta. It rustles in the seat cushion. (or) draw the driver's attention back, such as by flashing a small light on the dashboard. ”
Demand for driver monitoring technology is increasing. European regulators are gradually introducing the system in new cars, and all new cars will be required to have it by 2026. U.S. transportation officials are studying various driver monitoring systems and systems that could deter drunk driving ahead of possible rulemaking. China is also expected to soon formulate rules regarding mandatory detection of distracted driving.
Magna said the German automaker (which it did not specify) recently began using its system in cars sold in Europe and China, and the technology could be brought to the North American market in 2025. I expect it to be.
Driver monitoring technology raises many privacy concerns, especially at a time when automakers are under increased scrutiny for sharing driver data, which in some cases has real-world consequences such as increased insurance premiums, says Senior. said Jay Stanley. Policy analyst for the American Civil Liberties Union's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project.
“People will finally understand the extent to which they are being monitored through their cars,” he says.
Stanley said the fundamental problem of distracted driving is real and may justify some degree of invasion of privacy. However, concerns arise if such systems record video or if the data collected by the device flows to locations outside the vehicle, including to the automaker.
Stanley said this is a fundamentally important question: “Is this in the driver's best interest, or is it tipping off the driver and reporting unethical behavior to the car company?” Stated.
Peter Spenckley, Magna's director of global product management, said the company has been working on the monitoring system for six years, ever since a small number of its employees noticed how bad distracted driving had become. Ta. Spenkley's personal story about distracted driving came about when he was riding a motorcycle and saw other drivers around him not paying attention to the road.
“I got to the point where I sold my bike, because every time you go out, people just stream into your lane, like it wasn't even fun to ride, and it's over in a flash,” he said. But when you don't have that protection, it's very obvious. ”
Designers realized that a rearview mirror that provides a bird's-eye view of the cabin would be perfect for cameras. But Spenckley said there are also some challenges that need to be addressed. These include fitting equipment into tight spaces, reducing the heat it generates, and preventing drivers from noticing cameras behind mirror surfaces.
“Nobody wants to feel like they're being watched by cameras,” he says.
Pastor said it will be up to the automakers using the technology to decide how much functionality they want the system to offer and what privacy restrictions there may be. Automakers may want to enable facial recognition that can detect who is in the car and change the vehicle's settings accordingly to suit their preferences. Or it could remotely detect if a driver has left something behind in the car after parking, or if a child has been left in the back seat. Or you can use it as a kind of in-car video feed to participate in conference calls while sitting in your car.
But the idea is that the system is less noticeable while driving, unless the driver is dangerously distracted, Pastor said. The warnings can increase over time, perhaps starting with a slight rumbling in the seat and progressing to louder warning sounds.
“This is here to help you,” he said. “It's not like someone whacks you over the head with a ruler, it's like your friend, 'Hey, you get that?'” he found. “
Sam Abuelsamid, principal e-mobility analyst at market research firm Guidehouse, said such driver monitoring systems are still relatively rare in new cars in the U.S., but will rapidly increase over the next five years. “It's pretty universal.”
That's for several reasons. Driver monitoring systems are required for vehicles with hands-free driving assistance features, which are becoming more common in new cars. Regulators also appear to be moving toward increased oversight, not just to deter distracted driving, but also to prevent drunk driving, he said. Abuelsamid noted that such systems could also detect if someone is drowsy or if a medical emergency occurs, which could cause the car to automatically brake to a stop. .
He said there was “no doubt” some pushback from consumers, some of whom would no doubt be uncomfortable with cameras watching their driving. It will be important for car manufacturers and regulators to ensure that camera systems are only used for real-time monitoring and not recording. But Abuelsamid said there is no other way to reduce distracted driving, including from drivers using smartphones.
“I'm glad these things are becoming more common,” he says. “There are many benefits to implementing these systems.”
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