Seeing Machines upbeat on new US industry guidelines

Driver monitoring technology company Seeing Machines responded to the United States Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) on Monday, after the latter released new safeguard ratings for partial automation on 20 January.

The new ratings were scheduled to come into force during 2022, and included requirements for driver monitoring system (DMS) technology features for a 'good' rating.

Seeing Machines said the IIHS released the new ratings programme to target vehicles with partial automation and related safeguards, to help drivers stay focused on the road.

The AIM-traded firm said the ratings system was targeted at semi-automated, or ‘level 2’, vehicles, due to the IIHS view that while automated driving features could appear to make driving less of a burden, there was no evidence that they made driving safer.

It said the primary concern was the requirement for active supervision by the driver, as it was “widely accepted” that distraction was a considerable safety risk on roads.

The company explained that the 'good' rating applied to partial automation would require features offered by the Seeing Machines’ driver and occupant monitoring system technology, aligning closely with the upcoming protocols from the European New Car Assessment Programme and legislation recently passed by the European Commission.

Seeing Machines said it was currently working with nine automakers across Europe and the US to deliver its technology into an expanding number of models, with over 120,000 cars on roads with its technology installed.

“This momentum is further confirmation that driver (DMS) and occupant monitoring system (OMS) technology is fundamental to safety on roads across the world,” said chief executive officer Paul McGlone.

“We welcome this news, closely following the bipartisan infrastructure legislation passed by the US Congress in November last year which includes key provisions on distracted and impaired driving that prioritise DMS.

“We know that we will see driver and occupant monitoring system technology further cemented across the US as a safety requirement, and look forward to continuing our work with IIHS and other transport focused bodies as they work to ensure that all drivers in America have access to this life-saving technology.”

At 1014 GMT, shares in Seeing Machines were down 5.79% at 9.19p.