GM wants to monitor drivers with head and eye movement sensors

The American car manufacturer General Motors has entered into a partnership with sensor manufacturer Seeing Machines. GM wants to integrate the company’s sensors into cars. The software sounds the alarm if the driver, for example, falls asleep or is busy with his mobile.

The sensor technology from Australian Seeing Machines will be integrated into half a million new cars by General Motors over the next five years, reports the Financial Times. It is not yet clear in which models the safety system will be available.

The sensors recognize head and eye movements, and can determine whether the driver has properly focused on the road, or whether he has been distracted by, for example, grabbing a mobile phone or is in danger of falling asleep. In the event of imminent danger, the system will sound an alarm.

The algorithms that Seeing Machines is developing could also recognize facial expressions. Also, privacy would not be compromised, because the sensors do not store information permanently.

GM wants to use the sensors initially to improve road safety, but in the future the sensors may also be used to operate the on-board computer by just looking at it. Furthermore, the sensors could be used to prevent car theft and the Australian company is also working on other sensors that can determine whether the driver may have consumed alcohol.