Seeing Machines tech to protect FrechLinc drivers

Vision based human sensing technology development company Seeing Machines announced its first UK multi-year services contract on Thursday with FreshLinc, a large temperature controlled distributor.

The AIM-traded company said the deal came after the launch of its ‘Guardian System’ product at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham.

It said the ‘Guardian System’ solution was successfully trialed at several of FreshLinc's depots to measure the levels of fatigue and distraction prevalent in their fleet, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the system at mitigating those risks through its in-cabin alerts and 24/7 monitoring intervention service.

The three-year agreement will see 320 of the distributor's heavy vehicles fitted with the Guardian System and the drivers further protected by the 24/7 global SafeGuard monitoring service based in Tucson, Arizona.

FreshLinc were said to be “actively” working with Seeing Machines to showcase the benefits gained through the deployment of Guardian across their fleet to other UK based distributors, driving safety solutions for the UK commercial vehicle industry and highways.

In 2015 1,804 people were killed and 22,855 people were seriously injured on the road in the UK, Seeing Machines pointed out.

Of those accidents, distraction accounted for 25% of fatalities and driver error accounted for 68%, according to the Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: Annual Report 2015, published by the Department for Transport.

Seeing Machines' Guardian System was described by the firm’s board as a real-time driver fatigue, distraction and accident prevention service, claimed to achieve over 90% reductions in fatigue or distraction-related driver events.

As well as in-cabin alerts, such detected danger events were tracked and analysed in the 24/7 monitoring centre where tailored intervention programs and ongoing analytics were provided to fleet managers to help minimise incidents through ongoing driver training and wellness programmes, in a bid to keep drivers safe, prevent accidents and make roads safer.

“The Guardian safety solution is already saving professional drivers' lives internationally, and now we're positioned to better protect UK fleet operators and surrounding highway users by addressing distracted driving and fatigue in real-time, preventing accidents before they happen,” said Paul Angelatos, president of the Guardian Systems division at Seeing Machines.

“We are delighted to be working with FreshLinc to better safeguard their drivers, improve their safety culture and protect their brand.”

Lee Juniper, managing director of FreshLinc, said the company cared about its drivers, and wanted to make sure each one makes it home safely every day.

“Even though our drivers and equipment are among the best on-the-road, we are confident this technology will further strengthen our safety culture, protect our drivers and improve highway safety overall.”