SmartDrive Introduces SmartSense, a New Suite of Intelligent Driver-Assist Sensors That Identify High-Risk Driving Behavior

SmartDrive Systems has introduced SmartDrive SmartSense, a new line of intelligent driver-assist sensors designed to identify the most dangerous driving risks and intervene with drivers before a catastrophic event occurs. By combining purpose-built sensors with engine computer data, telematics, accelerometer and SmartDrive analytic data, the company has developed “smart sensors” that deliver new levels of accurate risk identification. With the benefit of reviewed video and a training database of over 200 million analyzed risky driving events, the sensor algorithms can be rapidly tuned to optimize triggering efficacy and system performance. The first sensor in the suite, SmartSense for Distracted Driving, uses these advanced computer vision-based algorithms, paired with the SmartDrive video analytics platform, to address the epidemic of distracted and inattentive driving.

“It’s estimated that distracted driving accounts for 10 percent of all fatal crashes and 17 percent of all collisions that cause injuries—at a cost of at least $129 billion annually. Given the difficulty of proving distraction as a root cause, these numbers are probably low,” stated Steve Mitgang, CEO of SmartDrive. “With SmartSense for Distracted Driving, we’re tackling this issue head-on by delivering an intelligent sensor tuned specifically to this risk. And, because it’s delivered with our video safety program, fleets finally have both a comprehensive view of the frequency, severity and impact of distracted driving, and a solution to an industry epidemic that costs money and lives.” 

When combined with the SmartDrive program and its Extended Recording capability, SmartSense offers fleets the most complete picture of what led to driver distraction, how it manifested and what the outcome was, enabling fleets to provide detailed feedback and actionable coaching to improve driver safety.

“The distraction sensor from SmartDrive has taken our video safety program to the next level by capturing distraction risks we would not have seen otherwise,” stated John Billingsley, director of safety and training, G&P Trucking, which participated in early trials of SmartSense. “The new sensor works with our existing platform — extending the impact of our original investment and proving to be a valuable tool to eliminate distracting driving.”

Instead of relying exclusively on vehicle maneuvers, such as hard braking, aggressive swerving or lane departure to capture driver cell-phone use or other causes of distraction, the SmartSensor interprets driver cues proven to accurately indicate distraction, such as head and eye movements. When the sensor detects distraction, inattention or drowsiness, it triggers a video, which is prioritized and offloaded for immediate verification and intervention, allowing fleets to act quickly.

Video evidence from the SmartDrive library confirms that drivers who engage in distracted driving frequently demonstrate an over-reliance on their ability to respond to dangerous situations, should they occur. Prior to texting, for example, drivers often put themselves in perceived “safe modes,” by moving to the right lane, using cruise control at or below the speed limit, and positioning themselves in limited surrounding traffic or at a following distance that initially appears safe. Additionally, drivers regularly misjudge the length of time and frequency of their distraction, texting for a longer time period than estimated, as well as diverting their eyes from the road more frequently and for more time than perceived. 

“Today, the majority of computer vision-based technologies operate in isolation from other systems and sensors on the vehicle — which means they are acting on data only available from their own system. This is a missed opportunity that will limit options for fleets in this new age of intelligent transportation,” said Mitgang. “With the SmartSense product line, we are taking a different approach by fusing sensor, vehicle and environmental data — creating a convergence of information that makes the entire system smarter and better able to help fleets prepare drivers for a world of more autonomous technology.”  

SmartSense for Distracted Driving operates with the SmartDrive video analytics platform, and includes:

• Distraction and inattention triggers that detect when eyes are off the road for a defined time period or a driver has exceeded a specific number of distracted incidents
• Purpose-built hardware with infrared sensors to capture distraction even when sunglasses are worn
• In-cab alerts when distraction or inattention occurs
• Prioritized review and risk scoring for video of distraction events
• Integration with the proven SmartDrive video safety program

SmartSense for Distracted Driving will be available in first quarter of 2018.