Orange County DUI Lawyer Blog
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly invades our everyday lives, it should be no surprise that AI is being used to tackle driving under the influence (DUI). An Israeli company, CorrActions, has developed a product that detects driver distraction and impairment.
The product, Driver NeuroMonitoring System, utilizes AI software that can detect the driver’s cognitive distraction due to alcohol or drug impairment or drowsiness. The “in- cabin” monitoring system detects impairment data from the steering wheel, seat, and other sensors. Using AI and neuroscience, the proprietary “NeuroMonitor” technology is based on EEG signals that are detected by muscle sub-movements. Working passively in the background, artificial intelligence continually updates the data points.
Upon detecting distracted driving, the product can take immediate corrective action, such as alerting the driver or taking safety measures. It is not clear what these safety measures are, but I can imagine that as more cars become autonomous with driver assisted AI doing much of the driving, one safety measure may be that upon detecting that the driver is distracted, the AI “driver” may “take the wheel” and safely pull off the road.
CorrActions state that the Driver NeuroMonitoring System is highly accurate with a close to zero false positive rate. It is, according to the company, unobtrusive and drivers will not even detect the monitoring unless the system is triggered by distracted driving. The company believes that use of its product will substantially reduce DUI and driver distracted fatalities.
Like the Driver NeuroMonitoring System, other products are in the works, and it is likely that these products will come to market very soon. Systems that include eye-tracking to detect signs of intoxication like delayed reaction times or erratic eye movements are one possibility. If impairment is detected, the car could refuse to start or engage an autonomous driving mode to safely transport the driver home or to another safe location.
Other systems may utilize AI to monitor the driver through cameras for signs like erratic movements, slurred speech, or bloodshot eyes. Still other systems may use biometric analysis such as facial recognition that detect changes in facial features or eye movements indicative of intoxication.
Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs), technology that only a decade ago was considered cutting edge, may be on the way out as AI products replace them. It is almost a certainty that future cars will be equipped with some sort of AI DUI and distracted driving detection systems. As the saying goes: It’s a brave new world.
Orange County DUI defense attorney William Weinberg offers a complimentary consultation to discuss your DUI matter. You may contact him at his Irvine office at 949- 474-8008 or by emailing him at bill@williamweiberg.com