2024-08-27 04:00:04
Researchers at Edith Cowan University in Australia have developed new technology that could transform road safety.
Using a camera coupled with artificial intelligence (AI), the system would detect whether drivers are drunk before they even get on the road. The development could not only prevent road accidents, but raises important questions about privacy and the accuracy of this technology.
The device, presented at a conference on computer vision systems, analyzes videos of drivers based on characteristics such as facial features, gaze direction and head position.
According to Ensiyeh Keshtkaran, a PhD student at Edith Cowan University and lead author of the study, the system achieved 75% accuracy, indicating that there is still room for improvement before it can be applied on a large scale. To train their algorithm, the researchers used videos of 60 people at varying levels ofalcoholizationrecorded in a environment of simulated driving.
Although this technology seems promising, questions remain. First, the protection of the data collected by these cameras. Even if the analysis is automated by AI, the risk of personal data leakage is never completely excluded. In addition, such technology has yet to prove its reliability to avoid mistakes that would wrongly prevent a sober driver from starting his vehicle.
Despite these challenges, the researchers point out that this system could complement existing devices such as alcohol ignition interlocks. These are already used in some vehicles to prevent drunk driving, but require the driver to interact directly with the device. The system proposed by the Edith Cowan University researchers could, however, be integrated more passively into road surveillance cameras, providing an additional means of preventing accidents.
Finally, the potential use of this system by law enforcement could mark a step forward in the fight against drunk driving. However, its widespread adoption will depend on resolving the ethical and technical issues surrounding this technology. To be effective, it will not only have to be accurate, but also respect the individual rights of drivers.
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