In a bid to mitigate distracted driving that remains one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents worldwide, Magna has developed a solution combining its expertise in cameras and mirrors. According to the estimates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the US, distracted driving killed 3,142 people in 2019, a 10% increase from 2018.
Magna's new Driver Monitoring System helps automakers make roads safer. This advanced technology alerts drivers when they take their eyes off the road for too long.
The market-ready solution is integrated into an interior mirror and meets global regulations related to the detection of distracted driving. It utilises proven camera-based technology to monitor the driver's head, eye and body movement to detect distracted behaviour, drowsiness and fatigue.
Besides, the technology accounts for normal driving actions, such as looking in the side-view mirrors. If distracted behaviour is detected, the driver is alerted through customisable audible or visual notifications.
Integrating the camera with the interior mirror provides the best-unobstructed view to the driver and offers the best vantage point for additional occupant monitoring features. The system is scalable to include features such as child presence detection, seat belt detection and identifying specific passengers to enable user preference memory settings.
John O'Hara, President, Magna Mirrors and Electronics, said, 'Magna's Driver Monitoring System offers automakers and consumers a future-focused solution that addresses a significant societal issue – distracted driving. The system is a natural extension of our leadership expertise in cameras and mirror technology and demonstrates our systems-level approach that brings innovative solutions to industry challenges.'