The EU’s revised standards elevate minimum automotive safety standards, with the aim of achieving zero fatalities on the road by 2050. These regulations mandate active life-saving systems, shifting the dial from driver safety measures to an era of crash avoidance.
This shift from passive safety features that limit damage if or when a crash occurs – to active safety features that can prevent a crash from happening in the first place – signals a change in the relationship between driver and vehicle. More sophisticated sensors and technologies now allow vehicles to identify and respond to human error and vulnerabilities, creating a safer ecosystem for drivers and passengers.
Bringing in-cabin driver and occupant monitoring systems together into one unified intelligence network is central to this evolution in vehicle safety. This system unification is a crucial step to deliver on the promise of safer roads.
The evolution of DMS
Driving Monitoring Systems (DMS) focus on driver behavior. They use a variety of technologies to track the driver’s gaze, head position and facial expressions, picking up on indicators that may suggest dangerous driving and potential risks. For instance, driver drowsiness and attention warning (DDAW) systems use cameras, eye tracking sensors and real-time data analysis to identify the warning signs of fatigue, such as the driver’s eyes closing more often, frequent yawning or erratic steering patterns. When detected, the DMS can trigger an alert encouraging the driver to take a break.
The DMS also monitors the vehicle’s speed and identifies potential collision risks. An advanced driver distraction warning (ADDW) system helps drivers to maintain their focus on the road. It observes indicators such as their eye movements to identify signs of distraction and guard against the risk of an accident. If drivers are distracted for 3.5 seconds when travelling above 50km/h, or more than 6 seconds at speeds between 20-50km/h, the system creates an alert.
As high-resolution systems – which contain the lens, sensor and software – continue to enhance DMS capabilities, more sophisticated lenses will detect more subtle behaviors within the car, such as tracking a driver’s micro expressions. These fleeting expressions, often occurring within a fraction of a second, are a valuable tool to gauge how the driver might be feeling.
Every individual is different, and not everyone will show fatigue or distraction in quite the same way. Careful analysis of micro expressions, such as briefly narrowing the eyes, a quick raise of the eyebrows or a slight opening of the mouth, will enable more accurate, personalized alerts. If, for example, someone has not slept well, the system can track micro expressions and quickly identify that they may not be as alert as normal.
The rise of OMS
Occupant Monitoring Systems (OMS) are a network of in-cabin cameras and sensors that specifically monitor passengers. These systems are focused on the safety and comfort of passengers, using technologies to interpret their presence, posture and – in some cases – even their emotions.
An OMS can detect the number of people in the vehicle, and their positions. For example, if a child has been left alone in a car, sensors can pick up on this and alert the car owner or emergency services. This system also picks up on whether passengers are using their seatbelts, and if they are properly fastened. Another benefit is the system’s ability to identify child seats, ensuring they are correctly installed and where necessary, disabling the airbag.
Greater than the sum of their parts
Independently, both the DMS and OMS play a key role in improving vehicle safety. When integrated, DMS and OMS technologies create a far more detailed and multi-dimensional view of human behavior inside the vehicle.
Building the full picture of what is happening inside the car allows for better risk prediction and accident prevention. If, for instance, the driver is showing signs of distraction and sensors are detecting a lot of movement from a child in the backseat, it’s easy to piece together why the driver may be paying less attention to the road. In these circumstances, the car can use visual, audible or haptic alerts to regain the driver’s focus – creating a safer experience for them, their passengers and, by extension, other road users.
In some cases, where data gathered through the combined DMS and OMS suggests passengers are not secured with seatbelts or perhaps the driver is behaving erratically, the vehicle can also take steps to protect them by slowing down, adjusting the car’s direction to stay in the lane or even triggering an automated braking system.
If a crash or near crash were to occur, combining insights from the DMS and OMS can also improve outcomes. Working together, the integrated systems can prioritize airbag deployment according to where occupants are sitting, assess driver and occupant conditions – even checking for vital signs if biometrics are monitored – and share key information such as the likely condition and number of passengers with emergency services.
Redefining road safety
It’s no secret that human error is the number one cause of traffic accidents. People can be distracted, get tired, or occasionally make bad decisions. The future of road safety depends on not only smart technology, but technology that can interpret human behavior, whether conscious or sub-conscious.
DMS and OMS systems have evolved. Each provides critical data independently but combining them both creates a better picture of human behavior within the car and ultimately, a safer driving experience. By using the insights gleaned through both in-cabin monitoring systems, vehicles can take a data-driven approach to implementing proactive safety. It’s not just about getting from A to B. Modern vehicles play a proactive role in protecting drivers and passengers as they travel – paving the way for safer roads ahead.
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