Seeing Machines unveils technology to detect alcohol impaired driving

Seeing Machines has announced a new advancement in its Driver Monitoring System (DMS) technology that now detects driver impairment from alcohol, expanding beyond its existing capabilities to identify distraction and drowsiness. This development comes as Mothers Against Drink Driving (MADD) marks its 45th anniversary in Washington D.D., highlighting the technology’s potential impact on road safety.

  • Seeing Machines unveils technology to detect alcohol impaired driving

“For years our technology, now in over 3.7 million cars and over 60,000 trucks today, has been capable of detecting and preventing distracted and drowsy driving,” said Seeing Machines Chief Safety Officer Dr Mike Lenné. “After extensive research, development, and rigorous testing we are now able to detect other forms of impairment, including impairment from alcohol to the level currently required by European NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) standards for alcohol detection.”

In the U.S., DMS has primarily been used to maintain driver engagement during hands-free driving with systems like Ford’s Blue Cruise and General Motors’ Super Cruise. The European Union now requires these systems to detect driver distraction and fatigue for safety, and starting from 2026, they must also detect driver impairment from non-fatigue causes that include alcohol use.  The U.S. has an important opportunity to align with global standards and meet Congressional requirements by implementing DMS technology in all vehicles.

Seeing Machines has adapted its world-leading DMS technology to detect alcohol impairment ranging from .05 blood alcohol content (BAC) to higher levels, where risk is continually elevating. The highest level of accuracy and precision occurs when drivers are in the .10 BAC range or higher.

To read the full release, click here.