Big Brother is watching: Spy cameras to be fitted in all new vehicles

Aussie car manufacturers are bracing for motorists’ backlash over new cameras that watch drivers for signs of distraction or tiredness behind the wheel.

Motorists have lashed out at new driver monitoring cameras set to be introduced to the majority of new cars.

The driver-facing cameras are already on the road in models such as the new Mitsubishi Triton, the first ute to include the technology as standard.

Hundreds of comments on news sites and social media have pointed out flaws in the technology.

Readers have hit out against the “sensory overload” of alarms and warnings provoked by the tech, as well as perceived hypocrisy.

“‘Keep eyes on road’ says the flashing messages that isn’t on the road. F —ing stupid idea,” said John. Another reader, Mark, pointed out that the tech is “making more distractions”, while others felt it made drivers lazy.

“All this technology on modern cars is actually more distracting,” said Lindy.

“Every time it dings at you, you look at the dashboard and take your eyes off the road. And drivers would become more reliant on it instead of paying attention. So it wouldn’t surprise me if this over-the-top tech was causing some accidents not preventing them.”

Readers with a sense of humour suggested it would put an end to drivers picking their nose while on the road.

Others voiced support for the technology.

“I wish every vehicle I pass on a dark country road was filled with the technology because just like everyone else I wonder about how alert the other driver is as we approach each other at a closing speed of 220 kph,” said Andy.

Another reader, Craig, said watching the road ahead was “pretty simple really”.

The technology will be mandatory in every vehicle sold in Europe from 2026, with local Australian makers conceding the cameras will be compulsory here too to ensure they meet strict car safety ratings.

Advanced driver monitoring technology is increasingly prevalent in new cars. Picture: Bosch

Mitsubishi Motors Australia chief executive Shaun Westcott said some customers had already complained about safety systems such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning and speed monitoring systems that frequently sounded chimes and displayed visual warnings to the driver.

“We have no choice if we want our star rating. We need to put them in there,” Mr Westcott said.

“The reality is that we are compelled to do it if we want five stars.”

Many vehicle fleets, including ride-sharing giant Uber, ban drivers from taking the wheel in cars without the maximum possible safety rating.

The cameras watch for signs of drowsiness or distraction including yawning, mobile phone use, and extended periods gazing away from the road ahead.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the independent body responsible for safety regulations, assesses vehicles according to how well they recognise signs of drowsiness on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale that scores people from 1-10, ranging from “extremely alert” to “extremely sleepy”.

Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott at the new HQ in Adelaide Airport. Picture: Keryn Stevens

But car makers including Mitsubishi have struggled to discern differences between yawning, laughter or singing, resulting in false positives that can distract drivers.

Australian road testers frequently criticise driver monitoring systems in new cars for sounding unnecessary alarms.

Some vehicles, such as the latest Nissan X-Trail, can interpret minimal steering input on straight roads as an emergency before trying to jolt the driver awake with dramatic brake applications.

Chinese car makers Nio and XPeng have also been criticised for falsely assuming ethnically Asian drivers were driving with their eyes closed, drawing the ire of customers.

European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) secretary-general Michael van Ratingen said the safety industry was disappointed with how poorly some safety systems were integrated in modern cars.

Australian road testers have criticised driver monitoring systems in new cars for sounding unnecessary alarms. Picture: Bosch

“When we started to develop these tests our understanding was that vehicle manufacturers would not bring these systems in that would be upsetting their customers,” Mr van Ratingen said.

“What we actually see happening is that they are not properly evaluated in the real world.”

Most manufacturers claim driver monitoring technology is a closed loop that uses software to review live footage of the driver without storing images or sending them back to a central location.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said modern day cars are computers on wheels, and a rich data source.

“The community would not be opposed to the use of that data particularly if achieving road safety outcomes,” Mr Khoury said.

“What is absolutely critical and non-negotiable is that any use of data does not breach privacy laws or any legislation that relates to the capture and use of individual data.

“This is critical to maintaining community trust, faith and confidence.”

Mr Westcott said some customers had already complained about safety systems such as forward collision warning. Picture: Russell Millard

Tesla’s Elon Musk denied the in-car cameras in the Model 3 and Model Y were being used to film owners, before an independent investigation found Tesla employees often circulated images or videos of customers without their knowledge, including images of naked drivers.

An investigation by consumer group Choice found in February that Toyota was collecting personal data from customers who do not “opt out” of its connected services policy.

Choice’s senior campaigns and policy adviser Rafi Alam called on the federal government to “introduce stronger safeguards and prohibitions on the collection and use of this kind of highly personal data”.

“Car companies say these technology features increase driver safety, but in a world of data hacks and sharing, it’s just another way for companies to gather valuable information, whether consumers like it or not,” Mr Alam said.

“People shouldn’t have to give up their privacy rights in order to purchase a new car.”

MODERN CARS ARE EQUIPPED WITH SOPHISTICATED SENSORS THAT CAN:

■ Detect the number of occupants in a vehicle

■ Sense whether people are wearing seatbelts

■ See if the driver is holding a phone or other objects

■ Monitor children in the back seats

■ Watch the driver to make sure they are paying attention