Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in the U.S. There are many factors that contribute to distracted driving including talking or texting on your phone. In addition, driving while tired or intoxicated are two other common causes of car accidents.
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are in-vehicle systems designed to help drivers maintain control of their vehicles. One of the more widely used types of ADAS on the market is the driver monitoring system (DMS). It’s likely this technology will make its way into more vehicles due to new legislation in Europe, the United States, and elsewhere that all require some form of DMS.
At KUS, our team is actively working to improve driver monitoring system technology. We believe this important technology will help enhance motor vehicle safety in the coming years.
What is a driver monitoring system and how does it work? Keep reading to find out.
What Is a Driver Monitoring System?
A driver monitoring system is a vehicle safety system that measures driver alertness to help prevent accidents on the road or detect prohibited behavior. A DMS uses a camera to check for certain indicators of distracted or impaired driving and issues an alert if it detects a problem.
For example, KUS’ DMS equipment checks for things like:
- Eye-closure: A sign the driver is asleep or unconscious.
- Driver fatigue: Yawning, rapid blinking, head nodding, etc.
- Distracted driving: Looking down or to the side, bent-over posture, etc.
- Phone activity: Calling, texting, navigating phone, etc.
Additional driver monitoring system features include cigarette smoke detection, face recognition, and data management. Other driver monitoring system features are also available. In recent years, advancements in DMS technology have improved its ability to detect driver’s distraction or impairment and prevent accidents.
How Does a Driver Monitoring System Work?
A driver monitoring system detects signs of fatigue and distraction using a small infrared camera the size of a webcam. This is accomplished by examining the driver’s face.
The most common facial regions that signal a distracted or tired driver include the eye, mouth, and head. According to the International Journal of Vehicular Technology, the eye is the most relevant area of the face to monitor including eye blink speed and gaze direction. If the DMS detects fatigue or distraction, an alert will sound and the alert will escalate if ignored.
DMS should be installed in an unobtrusive location, such as the left or right side of the rearview mirror. This position will also give you a clear view of the driver’s face. Note that prescription glasses — and most sunglasses — should not cause camera interference.
However, you’ll want to verify any potential camera limitations before selecting a DMS. KUS DMS units have a built-in 4G module for cloud-based data management via mobile phone or computer
DMS Paves the way forward for Vehicle Safety
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include things like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, blind-spot detection, and pedestrian detection and avoidance. DMS is the first step in alerting the driver and the wider ADAS network of a potential problem.
Once a DMS alert occurs, then the vehicle’s computer system can determine how to best respond. Whether that be keeping your vehicle in its lane or applying the brake. Imagine a scenario where the driver is asleep or unconscious and the vehicle recognizes this.
In response to the DMS alert, ADAS technology may activate the vehicle’s hazard lights, apply pressure to the brakes, and pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. While it may take us a while to get to this point, DMS is the foundation for future ADAS advancements.
Partner With KUS for Your DMS Technology
KUS develops ADAS solutions for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. We hold our DMS product line to the same standards as all our high-quality vehicle components.
Contact us to learn more about DMS and how it can make your vehicles safer.