How driver monitoring cameras improve driving safety and their key features

Undeniably, it has showcased a lot of potential in significantly lowering the risk of accidents by making sure that drivers can easily maintain focus.

In this blog, you'll learn how driver monitoring cameras can greatly improve safety and the key camera features required to achieve this.

How driver monitoring cameras improve safety

Simply put, driver monitoring cameras are used to detect and analyse driver behaviour in real time. They help track various factors such as eye movements, facial expressions, and head positioning to assess the driver's focus. Backed by sensors and AI-based algorithms, the camera can quickly determine if a driver is becoming inattentive or drowsy. Let's look at four ways that driver monitoring cameras improve driving safety:

• Fatigue detection: long hours behind the wheel can lead to driver fatigue, one of the leading causes of road accidents. Driver monitoring cameras monitor indicators such as slow blinking, yawning, and prolonged eye closure to detect early signs of drowsiness. Once these signs are identified, the system can alert the driver and empower them to take a break or regain focus
• Distraction identification: distraction from mobile phones, infotainment systems, or external surroundings is another cause of accidents. Driver monitoring cameras can recognise when a driver is distracted by observing head position and eye movement. For example, if the driver is on the road for an extended period, the system can trigger warnings to encourage them to refocus on the road ahead
• Enhanced fleet safety: for commercial fleets, driver monitoring cameras offer an extra security layer by monitoring drivers during long-haul trips. Fleet managers can, therefore, track driver behaviour over time and identify risky patterns. It also helps provide targeted training or implement more structured breaks to prevent fatigue-related incidents.
• Face recognition for driver identification: driver monitoring systems with face recognition capabilities help confirm the identity of the person behind the wheel. It prevents unauthorised use, supports driver-specific settings, and enables usage-based insights linked to individual driving patterns.

Camera features that increase driving safety

Resolution and frame rate

A camera with high resolution and a fast frame rate can capture images with real-time accuracy. This can be crucial for detecting minute changes in driver behaviour, such as eye movements or head tilts. For instance, a resolution of 2MP combined with a 60 frames per second (fps) recording capability ensures that even rapid movements are identified without motion blur. Thus, the driver monitoring system can perform reliable behavioural analysis and send the right alerts.

Global shutter

Global shutter mode captures entire frames simultaneously, eliminating the image warping or distortion often caused by the "rolling shutter" effect (commonplace in conventional cameras). It can be very useful when the driver or vehicle is in motion at high speeds, as the driver monitoring camera ensures that fast-moving objects or sudden changes in the driver's pod are captured without skewing.

NIR sensitivity

Near-Infrared (NIR) sensitivity at wavelengths such as 940nm or 850nm enables the camera to perform optimally in low-light or no-light conditions, such as night-time driving or tunnels. The driver monitoring camera can provide high-contrast images of the driver without the need for visible light, which could distract the driver. This makes sure that the system remains operational under all lighting conditions.

In-built ISP

An integrated Image Signal Processor (ISP) enhances image quality by dynamically adjusting parameters like exposure, contrast, and noise reduction based on the surrounding environment. The driver monitoring camera can cope with different lighting conditions (glare from headlights, shadows in the cabin, etc.).

GMSL2 or GigE interface

Using a GMSL2 (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) or GigE (Gigabit Ethernet) interface in driver monitoring cameras ensures high-speed data transmission. It results in real-time communication between the camera and the vehicle's processing unit. Both interfaces support high bandwidth for transmitting high-definition video streams without latency.

Form factor

The compact form factor of driver monitoring cameras enables seamless integration into a variety of vehicle cabins without affecting the aesthetic design or obstructing the driver's view. It enables flexible placement within the cabin, meaning the camera has an optimal angle to monitor the driver's movements without interfering.

RGB-IR

RGB-IR sensors combine standard RGB imaging with infrared capabilities in a single sensor unit. This setup enhances visibility in varied lighting environments by separating visible and infrared data streams. For driver monitoring, it improves eye and facial feature detection under both daylight and infrared illumination, reducing reliance on external lighting adjustments.

Inbuilt AI or AI at the host

Driver monitoring cameras can either come with onboard AI processing or rely on AI algorithms at the host system. Inbuilt AI handles tasks like gaze estimation or drowsiness detection directly on the camera, reducing latency. Alternatively, AI at the host enables deeper processing with greater computing power. Both configurations support scalable deployment depending on vehicle design and processing needs.

IP rating

Driver monitoring cameras with ratings such as IP67 or higher are built to manage tough environmental conditions like dust, moisture, and extreme temperature variations. Such ruggedised cameras are capable of withstanding harsh operational environments. It also eliminates the need for frequent maintenance while providing consistent performance across various driving settings.

In indoor settings, an IP54 rating can offer adequate protection against limited dust ingress and water splashes, making it suitable for in-cabin driver monitoring systems.