Seeing Machines protects tens of thousands of heavy vehicle drivers every day with its Guardian technology.
According to their 2023-24 Guardian Insights Report*, nearly 2,000 Australian fleets used the system in the 12-month period to 30 September, 2024.
Guardian’s technology has come a long way since its first iteration in the off-road/mining sector, back in 2008 (then known as the Driver State Sensor or “DSS”).
Now, more than 15 years later, Seeing Machines has launched Guardian Generation 3, a significant advancement in driver fatigue and distraction technology.
Building upon more than two decades of Human Factors science and R&D, Guardian Generation 3 integrates cutting-edge features into a compact, all-in-one device.
This article explores five new aspects of Seeing Machines’ latest offering, including early drowsiness and advanced distraction detection, the system’s award-winning design and intuitive user interface, and it’s automotive-grade technology.
What is early drowsiness detection? For context, traditional fatigue solutions tend to detect yawning and/or microsleeps (sleeping for a few seconds at a time), not actual drowsiness.
Unfortunately, by the time a driver experiences a microsleep it may be too late to prevent a crash. Vehicles can drift into oncoming traffic or run off the road in a matter of seconds, leaving no time for corrective action.
Guardian Generation 3, however, sets a new standard in fatigue management by continuously monitoring and evaluating a driver’s level of drowsiness using advanced algorithms aligned with the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS).
The early drowsiness detection feature allows the system to intervene in real time, providing audio, visual, and haptic alerts to warn drivers before their level of fatigue becomes critical. It’s not unlike the low fuel indicator light – it warns you before you hit empty.
When a driver is drowsy, their reaction time and decision-making capabilities are impaired and can lead to preventable mistakes. By receiving early warnings, drivers can take necessary actions, such as simply taking a break, to prevent potential incidents.
Did you know? New vehicles – including trucks, busses and coaches – within the European Union (EU) are now required to include Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) systems like Guardian Generation 3, which has been independently tested and meets this EU regulation.
Like drowsiness, distraction remains a leading cause of road accidents.
Guardian Generation 3’s advanced distraction detection addresses this by meticulously tracking a driver’s eye movements – not just head position – to provide a highly accurate analysis of attention state.
This includes detecting when a driver looks away from the road ahead for an extended period (known as “long glance away”), but importantly, also captures multiple, short off-road glances (which are common during mobile phone use), known as visual attention time sharing (VATS).
Seeing Machines’ superior research and understanding into human behaviour ensures the system can distinguish between natural driving behaviours and risky distractions, intervening when necessary to refocus the driver’s attention on the road.
Guardian Generation 3’s sleek, compact design is a standout feature, offering seamless integration into modern heavy-vehicle interiors.
The system now integrates optics and processing into a single unit, minimising its footprint within the vehicle cabin. This not only preserves in-cabin aesthetics but also simplifies installation across various vehicle types to meet a diverse range of fleet needs. In fact, Guardian Generation 3 was recognised for its exceptional design and innovation as part of the prestigious 2024 Good Design Awards, receiving the Winner Accolade in the Product Design category.
Guardian Generation 3 also introduces a new and improved user interface. Now, when an event is detected, the in-cabin unit’s colour OLED screen displays simple icons for each alert type so drivers can quickly identify the event and self-coach to improve their driving habits.
Last, but certainly not least, Guardian Generation 3 features a Driver Monitoring Engine (DME) powered by the same technology found in over 2.6 million passenger cars worldwide.
This DME is trusted by some of the world’s leading automotive brands, including Ford, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and General Motors. This underscores the technology’s reliability and effectiveness, as the detection accuracy must be flawless to integrate with other advanced driver safety features in these vehicles. And when it comes to detecting fatigue and distraction, accuracy is essential.
If a system ‘over-detects’, it frustrates the driver which often leads to tampering with the unit. Or, worse, it ‘under detects’ and misses critical events, defeating its purpose to protect drivers and prevent accidents.
Indeed, accurate detection and real-time intervention can be the difference that gets a driver – and other road users – home safely.
In conclusion, Guardian Generation 3 by Seeing Machines offers a proactive and comprehensive solution to driver safety, addressing both drowsiness and distraction with advanced technology and real-time intervention. Its compact design, intuitive interface, and proven effectiveness make it an invaluable tool for fleets aiming to protect their drivers and reduce accident rates.
By investing in such innovative technology, fleet operators can ensure that their drivers remain alert, attentive, and, most importantly, safe on the roads.
For more information, visit Guardian Generation 3.
* Access the 2023-24 Guardian Insights Report here.
