Seeing Machines wins USD $1.8m order for AI driver monitoring
Seeing Machines has received a new purchase order for Guardian Backup-driver Monitoring System (BdMS) units from a major North American autonomous vehicle company, valued at USD $1.8 million.
The order will see additional Guardian BdMS units supplied to support the customer's ongoing expansion of its autonomous vehicle test fleet at multiple sites and locations across the United States.
This follows steady growth in the autonomous ride-hailing sector, where operators are adopting more rigorous monitoring systems to address safety concerns.
The deployment of backup drivers remains the current practice within the sector, even as autonomous technology advances. As vehicles move toward higher levels of automation, industry participants continue to prioritise robust oversight mechanisms to mitigate risk and support operational safety.
Paul McGlone, Chief Executive Officer of Seeing Machines, said the additional order demonstrates the importance of human supervision during this phase of development.
He noted the distinct role that Seeing Machines' Guardian BdMS solutions play as the industry transitions to fully driverless transport.
We are delighted to continue supporting this important customer as they expand their autonomous vehicle test fleet across North America. This additional order underlines the critical role that Guardian BdMS plays in ensuring safety during the transition to fully autonomous transport. Our technology is designed to support robust human oversight while paving the way for future solutions, and we look forward to further opportunities as the industry evolves.
The Guardian BdMS units are designed to bridge the gap between current needs for human backup drivers and the safety aspirations of fully autonomous vehicle operations. The product leverages computer vision and AI technologies to monitor driver alertness and engagement, offering real-time feedback and intervention where required.
Guardian's monitoring capabilities extend to assessing where a driver is looking and classifying their cognitive state, aimed at addressing factors that contribute to accident risk. This approach seeks to provide comprehensive 'driver state' measurement, a requirement in emerging standards and regulations for semi- and fully-autonomous vehicles operating on public roads.
Seeing Machines supplies vision-based monitoring systems across several transport sectors, including automotive, commercial fleets, off-road vehicles, and aviation.
The company operates globally from offices in Australia, the United States, Europe, and Asia, offering AI-powered technologies designed to facilitate safe human-machine interaction in a range of contexts.
The continued deployment of Guardian BdMS reflects a market trend wherein autonomous vehicle operators maintain, or even strengthen, oversight during on-road testing and development. This has become a focus as industry stakeholders respond to both regulatory scrutiny and public expectations around the safe introduction of driverless vehicles.
The latest purchase order adds to existing contracts and collaborations between Seeing Machines and self-driving technology providers.
With ride-hailing and shared mobility services pursuing scale and operational readiness, supplier relationships are expected to play a role in the rapid rollout of monitored autonomous fleets in urban and suburban settings.
Seeing Machines' stated objective is to provide technologies that are compatible with evolving regulatory requirements while supporting the strategic goals of its partners in the transport and mobility sector. The company continues to invest in the development of AI algorithms, embedded processing, and advanced optics to meet the demands of future vehicle platforms.
