Yawn alert! AI-powered truck cameras are rousing weary long-distance drivers

Fleet managers are increasingly depending upon AI to monitor their drivers, with AI-powered cameras trained to detect risky behaviour or weariness.

Companies like Netstar, a local technology and telematics specialist and subsidiary of JSE-listed Altron, offer state-of-the-art fleet management tools that lean heavily on AI. 

A case in point is their AI camera alarm system. "A driver is alerted to the AI alarms via the main unit and in-cab visual indicator to avoid incidents before they occur," the company says in its product description. "The AI alarms provide a beeping sound, an audible in-cab voice message and an icon on the visual indicator. We will configure the alarms to suit your needs."

"Any time a driver yawns or closes their eyes, they will get a “Please Rest Now” trigger." 

The camera is also able to detect when a driver puts a cellphone near their ears or mouth, or if a cigarette is in the driver’s mouth or gestures with a cigarette. An alarm is triggered if the driver is distracted – and looks downward or to the sides for a prolonged period -- or even if the driver's face is undetectable.

Recent data from the Department of Transport indicates that human behavior causes over 80% to 87% of road crashes in South Africa. Industry reporting notes that while traditional GPS telematics only reported after an event (e.g., hard braking), fleet operators are moving to AI cameras to catch pre-collision indicators—such as distraction, fatigue, or tailgating—in real time.