Lytx creates new risk detection alerts without recording video

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Updated Nov 3, 2020

Lytx’s DriveCam Event Recorder has a new configurable option for fleets that can give drivers real-time safety alerts to self-correct risky behaviors without the recording of in-cab video.

Fleets who beta tested the new safety alerts starting at the 27th week of using the standard DriveCam program saw an immediate drop off in risky behaviors that was maintained over the following weeks.Fleets who beta tested the new safety alerts starting at the 27th week of using the standard DriveCam program saw an immediate drop off in risky behaviors that was maintained over the following weeks.

Lytx developed the new technology using its proprietary machine vision and artificial intelligence (MV+AI) to detect patterns of distracted or unwanted driving behaviors. The new configuration option lets fleets disable or limit in-cab video recording for driver privacy yet still benefit from greater risk detection.

The new approach, Lytx said, will help drivers be more proactive and accountable for their improvement while giving management visibility to intervene, if needed.

As part of the announcement, Lytx added new risk detection capabilities. Its DriveCam Event Recorder now has an “inattentive” trigger that detects when the driver’s attention may be unfocused, such as rummaging through paperwork, or when the driver may be experiencing fatigue or drowsiness.

The company also has new real-time alerts for cell phone use, eating and drinking, smoking, no seatbelt, speeding, and inattentiveness. Depending on the behavior, drivers get an alert that includes a light and/or spoken phrase such as “distraction.”

“We’ve done a lot of research into what really works with in cab alerts,” said Kristin Costas, director of product management. “Intuitiveness is really important.”

During a live video chat with media, Costas showed a graph that charted the decrease in risky driver behaviors over time for fleets who beta tested the new safety alerts at the 27th week of using the standard DriveCam program. When the in-cab alerts were enabled at week 27 the drop off was immediate and was maintained over the following weeks.

New management reports are available through Lytx’ portal for fleets to track the duration and the percentage of drive time a driver was engaged in each type of risky driving behavior. The data can be coupled with video of the behaviors, she said.

Drivers also have the ability to login to a web portal or driver app to watch their own videos, review performance metrics, and see how risk is changing over time.

New management reports are available through Lytx’ portal for fleets to track the duration and the percentage of drive time a driver was engaged in each type of risky driving behavior.New management reports are available through Lytx’ portal for fleets to track the duration and the percentage of drive time a driver was engaged in each type of risky driving behavior.

“We want to help drivers self-correct in real time. We also want to help them better understand their habits,” Costas said, “and be part of that solution for reducing risk.”

Lytx already had real-time alerts that utilized the forward-facing camera in the DriveCam system for following distance, lane departure and rolling stops, as well as speeding above the posted speed limit.

Altogether, Lytx said the DriveCam system now has the ability to detect more than 60 driving behaviors with greater than 95% accuracy using its proprietary MV+AI.

“Fleets today are looking for reliable technology that allows drivers to quickly improve in the moment and with little or no manager intervention,” said Lytx President Doron Lurie. “A driver-powered approach to safety empowers drivers to take charge of their own safety, while freeing up precious manager time that can be redirected to other areas of the business.”