Volvo Takes Aim at Intoxication, Distraction With In-Car Cameras

Volvo announced that in-car cameras will be included on cars built early next decade. The cameras pointed at the driver will detect eye movement and where the driver might be looking. If the car detects inattention or intoxication it may alert the driver and slow down, says Volvo. Interventions may escalate alerting the Volvo on Call assistance service and finally slowing down and safely parking the car.

Introduction of the cameras will start on all models in the early 2020s. Details on the number of cameras and their positioning are yet to be announced.

“When it comes to safety, our aim is to avoid accidents altogether rather than limit the impact when an accident is imminent and unavoidable,” says Henrik Green, Senior Vice President, Research & Development at Volvo Cars. “In this case, cameras will monitor for behaviour that may lead to serious injury or death.”

The announcement is part of Volvo Cars’ vision of a future with zero traffic fatalities and accompanies a recent announcement of a top speed of 180 km/h on Volvo vehicles starting in 2021.