Hyundai is developing in-car cameras to stop careless driving

I, spy, with my little... camera-in-the-cabin? Yep, apparently so. New tech developed by Hyundai Mobis is going to keep an eye on us.

The carmaker’s software division has created a new In-Cabin Monitoring (ICM) system, which uses a camera looking into the cabin to analyse and assess in real-time more than 10 things, including the driver’s posture, if you're wearing seatbelts, and even vital signs like your heart rate.

The idea is the ICM system will alert the driver if, for example, they’re appearing dozy or unwell, or holding their mobile phone illegally, via the medium of Bongs.

On top of behaviours that might be considered careless – like not holding onto the steering wheel, for example – the system is programmed to detect and monitor occupants in the back seats, too. Thusly, if a driver tries to leave the car without taking the kids, cue more Bongs.

The stats show driver assist features are saving lives, preventing collisions and making the roads safer. According to Thatcham Research – those folks responsible for carrying out a lot of Euro NCAP assessments – autonomous emergency braking (AEB) has meant rear-end collisions have fallen by up to 50 per cent, and bumps with pedestrians are down by 30 per cent. Some 92 per cent of new cars sold in the UK are kitted out with these driver assist systems. They're helping to reduce insurance claims, and in turn reducing the cost of policies.

Hyundai Mobis has received official European stamps of approval for the ICM system, and apparently ‘exceeded the goal set by the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)’. The division intends to open the order books imminently so expect to see these in cars in less than a lifecycle.