Carmakers, among other companies, are competing to develop systems that can detect a driver's state to avoid accidents caused by distracted or drowsy driving.
Facial recognition systems are already being used in some trucks and buses -- mainly new vehicles -- in which dangerous driving is likely to result in serious accidents. As the technology can easily be retrofitted to other vehicles, it is likely to become commonplace in passenger cars.
A camera is fitted to the dashboard of some new models of Subaru Corp.'s sport-utility vehicle Forester, which will be released on Sept. 14. The camera monitors a driver's face for signs of drowsiness or distraction. If the facial recognition system perceives a risk, it warns the driver by sounding a tone. "The system has a profound effect on supporting safe driving without high costs," a company official said.
According to the White Paper on Traffic Safety in Japan 2018, among 3,630 traffic accidents in 2017, 555, or 15 percent, were through drivers' inattention, including drowsiness, and 398 accidents, or 11 percent, were caused by distracted drivers. There are many serious accidents caused by them. For instance, in 2016, a drowsy truck driver caused a pileup accident on the Sanyo Expressway in Hiroshima Prefecture, killing two persons.
The cameras used in vehicle facial recognition systems view the eyes and face of a driver and can warn before something unusual happens when driving. In commercial vehicles including trucks, the use of such technology is increasing; devices that can be retrofitted are also appearing.
Major auto parts manufacturer Denso Corp. launched in May a driver status monitor that can be installed in cars to detect drowsiness or distraction by evaluating images of a driver's face.
Kmax Inc., which sells information technology devices, has sold a foreign-made product that can be retrofitted to cars since last year. According to the company, the product has been purchased by the general public.
Electronic device manufacturer Omron Corp. is also developing a system that applies facial recognition technology.
The company expects the system to be installed mainly in passenger vehicles. "We are seeing an increase in demand because the number of elderly drivers is increasing," a company official said.
Traffic accidents have become a serious problem in developing countries as the use of automobiles has risen.
Combining facial recognition systems with automatic brake systems, Japanese manufacturers hope to promote their technological expertise to reduce traffic accidents abroad.
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