Seeing Machines’ Guardian Gen 3 targets micro-distractions in fleets
Seeing Machines has introduced a new "attention sharing" capability to its Guardian Generation 3 safety system, aiming to enhance distracted driving detection for commercial fleets. The Canberra-based technology company states this advance will provide fleet operators with more precise tools to identify driver distraction risk.
Detection focus
The new feature departs from conventional systems which typically monitor for singular, prolonged glances away from the road. Instead, the company's AI-powered system measures cumulative glance time, enabling it to identify repeated, brief moments of inattention. These micro-distractions, which have been linked to higher crash risk in various studies, would often pass unnoticed by older monitoring technologies.
According to Seeing Machines, the new capability is now standard in all new Guardian Generation 3 units. Existing Guardian Gen 3 users in commercial trucks and buses are also receiving the function through an over-the-air update.
Industry timing
Evidence cited from studies conducted by US transportation authorities points to the dangers of frequent, short glances away from the road, associating such behaviour with an increased risk of accidents. Attention sharing detection addresses this issue by tracking the total time a driver spends looking away from the main driving task, regardless of whether individual glances are brief.
"Distraction isn't always obvious. While many systems can detect a driver looking down for a few seconds, this new feature goes further - it identifies the repeated, split-second glances that, when added up, can be just as dangerous. This is a world-first for commercial fleets and a game-changer for road safety, exactly what we at Seeing Machines have set out to achieve," said Paul McGlone, CEO, Seeing Machines.
Real-time analysis
The Guardian system operates by monitoring a driver's eye gaze direction in real time, rather than relying on proxies like head position. By gathering continuous gaze data, the technology is designed to trigger alerts only when a genuine risk is detected. This approach, according to the company, minimises unnecessary alarms and reduces potential driver irritation or fatigue from false positives.
Seeing Machines maintains that Guardian Generation 3 is already supporting road safety efforts in fleets internationally, helping to prevent incidents related to fatigue and distraction. The company positions its attention sharing function as an automotive-grade enhancement that meets documented safety requirements and enables proactive intervention.
Fleet rollout
The update is being made available automatically to new and existing Guardian Gen 3 users worldwide. This release extends what the company describes as scientifically supported, real-time operator monitoring beyond traditional metrics, to encompass the kind of subtle distractions that have emerged as a key issue in modern transport safety literature.
"This new capability adds another important layer of risk detection for our fleet customers," said McGlone.
