Eye-tracking technology – how your car will watch your every move for you

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Are you sitting comfortably? That’s when you might start to feel sleepy and accidents can occur. But a safer driving future is on the horizon – the next big leap forward in crash prevention is technology that can digitally track your eyes and facial expressions to see when you’re in danger of dozing off.

The Automated Fatigue Monitoring System (AFMS) has been developed by Seeing Machines, an Australian company. After successful use in open-cast mining hardware, the firm has just signed a deal to trial the tech in vehicles operated by a European coach tour company. It’s the first time the system will have been used in an on-road application.

The pilot project is expected to produce new research data that will pave the way for the next step – installation in cars.

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A number of premium automotive brands already have fatigue monitoring systems on their models, but all rely on constant analysis of steering wheel and throttle inputs to judge if a driver is in danger of crashing. None has a camera facing him or her.

AFMS uses a driver-facing camera and patented eye-tracking technology that can detect if someone is distracted or falling asleep at the wheel. Using sensing equipment that requires no re-calibration between different drivers, it tracks head alignment for potential distraction while analysing eye behaviour to detect fatigue. This enables warnings to be given through visual and audible in-cab alerts.

Seeing Machines has revealed it’s already working with various automotive manufacturers.  For contract confidentiality reasons, it won’t say which. However, the company’s website says Honda, Toyota and Nissan are already among its clients, but doesn’t reveal if that’s the passenger car divisions. Volvo was also involved in setting up the company 12 years ago.

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Ken Kroeger, CEO of Seeing Machines, believes we will see distraction monitoring on a production car by 2017 and fatigue monitoring soon after. “Eye tracking technology has a major part to play in keeping drivers and passengers safe on the roads,” said “The technology has already been proven in extreme environments such as mines and now promises to bring the same benefits to public roads.”

The coach company deal, signed in December 2013, is with Dutch-based operator Royal Beuk. Initially AFMS will be fitted to 20 of its vehicles for a nine-month trial. Assuming the results are as expected, it will be added to all 60 in the fleet.

Marc Beuk, research and development manager at the travel firm, commented: “Driver fatigue is something that we can protect against to an extent through training and good working practices, but risk never sleeps.”

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AFMS has been used by mining machinery firm Caterpillar for several years. In August Seeing Machines announced that BHP Billiton trucks operating in Australian open-cast mines would be equipped with the eye-tracking technology for the first time.

Seeing Machines’ technology is also used in devices that detect eye disease to prevent loss of sight. It’s also involved in the gaming industry, developing a glasses-free 3D screen to improve the user experience.

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By Richard Yarrow, contributor, MSN Cars