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- This was first reported below in 2019 - The companies involved appear to have walked back the push temporarily because of the Pandemic - The Startups pushing this are Israeli, Australian, Silicon Valley and Scandinavian (the usual countries who don't give a shit about PRIVACY) - The tech involves continuous data-analysis of what is happening inside peoples' cars, including targeting advertising based on what the system sees and hears, such as what the kids in the backseat are watching or playing on their smartphones - It is likely that insurance companies will PUSH THIS TECH AGAIN AS SOON AS PEOPLE ARE COMFORTABLE AGAIN https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tech-ces-monitoring/move-aside-backseat-driver-new-tech-at-ces-monitors-you-inside-car-idUSKCN1P219H This week at CES, the international consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, a host of startup companies will demonstrate to global automakers how the sensor technology that watches and analyzes drivers, passengers and objects in cars will mean enhanced safety in the short-term, and revenue opportunities in the future. Whether by generating alerts about drowsiness, unfastened seat belts or wallets left in the backseat, the emerging technology aims not only to cut back on distracted driving and other undesirable behavior, but eventually help automakers and ride-hailing companies make money from data generated inside the vehicle. In-car sensor technology is deemed critical to the full deployment of self-driving cars, which analysts say is still likely years away in the United States. Right now, self-driving cars are still mainly at the testing stage. The more sophisticated in-car monitoring also could respond to concerns that technology that automates some – but not all – driving tasks could lead motorists to stop paying attention and not be ready to retake control should the situation demand it. When self-driving cars gain broad acceptance, the monitoring cameras and the artificial-intelligence software behind them will likely be used to help create a more customized ride for the passengers. Right now, however, such cameras are being used mainly to enhance safety, not unlike a helpful backseat driver. Interior-facing cameras inside the car are still a novelty, currently found only in the 2018 Cadillac GM.N CT6. Audi VOWG_p.DE and Tesla Inc TSLA.O have developed systems but they are not currently activated. Mazda 7261.T, Subaru 9778.T and electric vehicle start-up Byton are introducing cars for 2019 whose cameras measure driver inattention. Startup Nauto's camera and AI-based tech is used by commercial fleets. Data from the cameras is analyzed with image recognition software to determine whether a driver is looking at his cellphone or the dashboard, turned away, or getting sleepy, to cite a few examples. Companies such as Israel's Guardian Optical Technologies and eyeSight Technologies, Silicon Valley's Eyeris Technologies Inc, Sweden's Smart Eye AB SEYE.ST, Australia's Seeing Machines Ltd M2Z.L, and Vayyar Imaging Ltd, another Israeli company using radar instead of vision, are crowding the space. Many have already signed undisclosed deals for production year 2020 and beyond.