AI technology is here to stay, and we all hope that it is used in a responsible manner. Being deployed in Greater Manchester from 3rd Sept, we will soon have AI cameras to detect illegal mobile phone and seatbelt use as part of a wider national trial to ensure safer roads. When previously trialled in Cornwall, the cameras caught around 300 offending motorists in a space of just three days. The cameras capture footage of passing vehicles (it can track objects moving up to 300km an hour, which is 186mph!!), which is then run through AI to detect whether someone is using their smartphone while driving or if someone in the car is not wearing a seatbelt.
Two photos are taken: one of a shallow angle which captures if a driver has a phone to their ear and checks whether a seat belt is being worn, and a second deeper angle which can see if a person is texting in front of them. The AI footage is then examined by a human to confirm that the software is correct and an offence has indeed been committed. If the human check confirms that an offence has been committed then the driver is issued with a penalty charge notice. (Using your phone while driving is punishable by up to six penalty points and a £1,000 fine). But if the image is incorrect and shows that no offence has been committed then Acusensus (the manufacturer) says it will be immediately deleted.
Interestingly, according to a study conducted by Big Motoring World, which surveyed 2,000 drivers from across the country, 50 percent of drivers think the new AI cameras are a breach of privacy. In particular, millennials (between 25 and 34 years old) are the least likely to support the trial, with half of drivers in the age bracket stating they plan to go out of their way to avoid the cameras. (Ed; as the cameras are mobile, that might be a bit difficult!!). Alternatively, motorists aged 65 and over were more supportive of the cameras, with 67 percent stating that they are justified in order to improve road safety.
For more information and pictures, please read the article below;
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-13804185/new-AI-camera-rollouts-ready-catch-drivers-mobile-smartphone-greater-manchester.html
A recent article by a motoring journalist told how the first thing he does in a car is “disengage the lane-keeping assist”. He continues “You must do this every time you get in, thanks to the quest for Euro NCAP crash-test stars. The systems only really have a benefit on dual carriageways and motorways, and are a hindrance on local roads, where they can’t seem to spot the parked car or cyclist you are avoiding, whilst the car is trying to steer you back towards them when you cross the central line. That’s why it’s better having a simple button to switch the system off”. Just for info, I always switch mine off with a click on two stalks – I don’t need lane assist to keep me awake!!
Finally, in the August Chatter I commented on the accuracy of Adaptive Cruise Control systems and the unreliable technology they depend on. I said that in future I would only use it on Motorways, not Dual Carriageways. Well, now I have abandoned the technology altogether as ‘not fit for purpose’ since on the M62, between J11 and J12, the dashboard suddenly flashed up “Predicted 50 detected” and auto emergency braked from 70mph to 50mph. We were no where near a gantry speed limit sign so I can only conclude that somewhere in the mapping system there is an error. ACC is consigned to the bin in its current format, I now have zero confidence in the system.
Roy Sammons