Drowsy, distracted, or reckless? The algo will know.

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has begun the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to make cabs, and the roads they operate on, safer. The Authority wants to ensure that Dubai’s taxi drivers are alert and efficient on the job. It has therefore deployed smart camera systems in the taxis for the purpose. (Intelligent Transport)

Earlier, the Dubai RTA had used these devices to detect violations of the restrictions and rules relating to the prevention of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, if a passenger in a taxi was not wearing a mask, or breaching social distancing norms, the cameras and AI would sound an alert.

The AI devices in the vehicles can scan human faces for masks. It can also calculate mathematically whether the riders are maintaining the required distance from each other.

Now, AI to optimize cabbies’ driving

Dubai’s RTA has now set about keeping a watch on the city’s taxi drivers’ behavior. It is in collaboration with smart camera system developer Acacus Technologies for the purpose.

The system can sense if the driver is drowsy, distracted, or is violating road regulations and laws.

However, according to Khaled Al-Awadhi, Director of Transportation Systems Department at the Public Transport Corporation of the Dubai RTA, this is a step beyond the surveillance system that previously verified customer complaints.

The AI system is more proactive and provides first-hand information on driver behavior on the road.

“Now, through artificial intelligence, we can know the performance of the driver on the road first hand, which helps us to alert or direct them, or subject them to rehabilitation courses in case of repeated violations such as excessive speed, sudden parking or unnecessary use of brakes,” he said.

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