Volvo’s eyes are on biometric cameras

Volvo could soon offer a set of driver-facing cameras to monitor driver behaviour and even predict health issues.

The system’s been in development since 2017 as part of Volvo’s research into autonomous cars, part of plans to have a fully selfdriving vehicle on the roads by 2021.

Though many drivers may worry about the threat of constant surveillance, Volvo says the cameras will remain an optional extra.

The cameras will be capable of facial recognition, identifying who’s driving the car and setting items such as the seating position, climate control and infotainment to individual requirements.

Volvo’s chief digital officer, Atif Rafiq, told CAR magazine: “(The cameras) are very advanced these days: they can determine a driver’s glucose levels by looking at their pupils, so could call a loved one or hospital if it detected a health problem.

“Cameras can be used for video conferencing and ID purposes, too.”

Footage would be anonymous and private and wouldn’t be shared for any reason.

Privacy issues aside, the cameras would help aid safety by alerting drivers of health issues or that their attention is wavering.

Volvo’s biometric cameras aren’t yet an option and the firm has stated they won’t be arriving in 2019.