Tesla Unveils 'Driver Drowsiness Warning' Feature Harnessing Cabin Camera Tech To Alert Sleepy Drivers

Electric vehicle giant Tesla Inc. TSLA has launched a new feature termed “Driver Drowsiness Warning,” which utilizes the cabin camera for driver monitoring.

Tesla’s primary method of driver monitoring was through the detection of torque on the steering wheel. Only recently, starting in 2021, did the automaker begin leveraging the cabin-facing camera to ensure that drivers are alert and not using handheld devices while at the wheel.

Now, Tesla has taken a step further by incorporating a new feature called the “Driver Drowsiness Warning,” which counts the number of yawns and blinks from the driver to assess their alertness, reported Electrek.

This feature is designed to alert drivers appearing drowsy by monitoring facial characteristics as well as driving behavior.

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However, this feature is not yet included in the North American owner’s manual and is only activated when driving over 65 km/h (40 mph) for at least 10 minutes with Autopilot disengaged.

While this feature can be disabled or enabled for the current drive cycle, it automatically turns on at the start of every drive cycle.

Tesla is not the pioneer in launching such driver alertness monitoring technology. Mercedes-Benz has been using a similar feature for almost a decade.

Why It Matters: Despite the new feature, Tesla warns users not to rely on the feature.

"Never depend on Driver Drowsiness Warning to maintain safe control of your vehicle," Tesla wrote on its website while adding that safe driving is upon the driver.

Tesla gives warnings about its advanced driver assistance system autopilot and Full Self-Driving capability.

"The currently enabled Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous," the company says on its website.

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Photo by betto rodrigues on Shutterstock

With inputs from Anan Ashraf