Autoliv Partners with Seeing Machines on Driver Monitoring Tech

Swedish safety systems supplier Autoliv Inc. is partnering with Australia-based Seeing Machines Ltd. to develop next-generation driver monitoring systems for self-driving vehicles.

The companies are developing technology to sense distracted or drowsy drivers by using Seeing Machines’ technology to measure eye and head position, driver attention and fatigue. The partners say distracted driving in the U.S. accounts for some 3,500 fatalities and 391,000 injuries per year.

Autoliv says the partnership will help it develop systems to support highly but not totally autonomous driving conditions, in which drivers may be needed to resume control of the vehicle. The company aims to become a tier one supplier of driver monitoring systems that feature Seeing Machines technology.