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    AI-Powered Safety: Obstructed Camera Detection

    Updated
    Audience Fleet Admins 
    Applies To 

    Fleet Dashboard 

     

    Introduction 

    Introducing our new AI Obstructed Camera Detection: a robust solution designed to enhance dashcam visibility by detecting and alerting drivers to obstructions or installation issues that may compromise safety or prevent post-event analysis due to an obstructed line of sight. 

     

    This article covers the following:

    What is Obstructed Camera AI detection?

    Obstructed Camera is a new AI vision-based event that can detect when the road or driver-facing camera is obstructed by a physical object or when the camera is not installed correctly.  

     

    What are the types of obstructions that can be detected?

    There are 3 main types of obstructions that can be detected by our new Obstructed Camera AI feature:

    Road-facing obstructions - Any visible obstruction that is blocking the line of sight to the roadway, and preventing the ability to detect other unsafe driving behaviors

    Driver-facing obstructions - Any obstruction that is blocking the line of sight to the driver, and preventing the ability to detect other unsafe driving behaviors

    Installation issues - The camera is installed improperly and is tilted at an improper angle, preventing the line of sight to the roadway and/or driver in the vehicle which impacts the camera's ability to detect other unsafe driving behaviors

     

    Does my device support this feature?

    Obstructed Camera AI detection is supported on both the road & driver-facing AI Dashcams (AIDC-53/54) and requires a Pro or Enterprise subscription.

     

    Where can I enable Obstructed Camera?

    Obstructed Camera event detection is enabled by default, but in-cab alerts must be enabled manually.  Both setting options can be found in the new Unsafe Behavior Detection and Event Intelligence page in the Admin > Safety section of the dashboard.

    1. Navigate to the Admin section from the main Fleet View dashboard (bottom left corner).

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    2. Click on Safety, then Unsafe Behavior Detection and Event Intelligence.

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    3. Scroll to the bottom of the page locate the Unsafe Behavior Detection: BETA section, and click Edit.  Events are enabled by default and in-cab alerts can be turned on as desired.

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    4. Click Save to confirm and apply any changes that have been modified.

     

    How does it work?

    The AI dashcam is designed to enhance safety by alerting to any obstructions when:

    • The vehicle is traveling at 15 mph or above
    • The dashcam lens, whether facing the road or the driver, has been obstructed for 30 seconds or more.

    If the dashcam detects an obstruction, the Motive platform takes several actions to ensure you're informed and can address the issue promptly. Here's what happens:

    • In-Cab Audio Alert: An audio alert inside the cab will notify the driver immediately of the obstruction. These alerts are available in English, Spanish, and French.

    • Obstructed Camera Safety Event: An Obstructed Camera event is generated and published as a safety event in the Safety > Events section of the Motive dashboard.  All visual evidence for an Obstructed Camera are provided as an image, however, videos can still be recalled on request.

    • Dashcam Status Update: The status of the dashcam is updated to "Obstructed Camera" on the Safety > Dashcams page within the Motive dashboard.  This status update serves as a quick indicator of cameras needing attention related to obstructions.

    • Email Notification: If any alerts have been set up, an email notification is sent to Fleet Admins or Managers. 
    • Driver Mobile Coaching:  Drivers can be automatically notified in the Motive Driver App of any Obstructed Camera events if the event is considered High severity and auto-coaching is enabled.  Obstructed Camera events can also be coached manually from the Event Detail page or Motive Coaching workflow similar to other unsafe driving behaviors.

    • Follow-Up Check: Approximately 20 minutes after the initial detection, the dashcam automatically checks the state of the obstruction again.   

    What happens when the obstruction is cleared?

    The Obstructed Camera AI detection feature checks in to see if the dashcam is still obstructed periodically every 20 minutes.

    If the dashcam is still obstructed and the vehicle is traveling at 15 mph or above:

    • Another in-cab audio alert plays (if enabled) to notify the driver that the camera is still obstructed
    • A new Obstructed Camera event wont be created
    • The dashcam status will remain as Obstructed Camera

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    If the dashcam is no longer obstructed and the vehicle is traveling at 15 mph or above:

    • The Obstructed Camera event detail page banner updates to inform the obstruction has been cleared and when
    • The dashcam status is no longer display Obstructed Camera
    • The dashcam begins actively monitoring for future obstructions again

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    Obstructed Camera as a Dashcam Status

    Obstructed Camera safety events are also used to define the status of the dashcam to provide real-time insights into any active obstructions. This can be found in the Safety > Dashcam section of the dashboard.

    To search for obstructed cameras, use the status filter or click on Obstructed Camera in the right Status column:

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    To view the event detail correlated to this status, hover on the Obstructed Camera status label and click on "Refer to this event for details".

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    Where can I view Obstructed Camera events?

    Obstructed Camera events can be viewed by navigating to the Safety > Events page in the Motive dashboard and can be searched by utilizing the Behavior filter on the report.

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    Visual evidence for Obstructed Cameras events by default are image-based, however, videos can be recalled if desired.

    At the top of each event, a banner is presented to provide additional detail as to which camera lens was obstructed.  Additionally, the banner updates to indicate if the obstruction has been cleared and no further action is required.

    image (7).png

    How is Severity defined for Obstructed Camera events?

    Severity for Obstructed Camera is defined by a speed based heuristics framework as the following:

    • LOW: Mark as low when max speed <15 mph
    • MED: Mark as medium when max speed >15 mph and <=45 mph
    • HIGH: Mark as high when max speed is >45 mph

    Can I create alerts & notifications when an obstruction occurs?

    Yes - as with all of the unsafe behaviors Motive can detect, alerts & notifications can be generated whenever an Obstructed Camera event occurs.

    1. Navigate to Admin.
    2. Click Alerts.
    3. Click Create Alert and select Obstructed Camera from the Type dropdown.
    4. Fill in the remaining details for the desired configuration.
    5. Click Save to create the alert.

     

    How are drivers notified of an Obstructed Camera?

    There are several ways a driver can be notified of an Obstructed Camera event:

    • In-Cab Audio Alert: An audio alert can be played inside the cab to immediately notify the driver of the obstruction.  Alerts continue to play every 20 minutes if the obstruction is still present and concludes once the obstruction has been removed.
      • Alerts are available in English, Spanish, and French.

    • Obstructed Camera Safety Event:  Safety events related to the obstructed camera is published on the dashboard.  Each event can be sent to a driver as a Coachable Event to the Motive Driver app for the driver to review the event details.  
      • This event can be automatically sent to the driver for High severity events if the obstruction occurred while traveling at speeds that exceed 45 mph.
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    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    1. Can I customize the thresholds for Obstructed Camera in the Motive dashboard like other AI behaviors?

    Yes, however these requests to modify detection thresholds must be submitted through Motive Customer Support.

    2. If only in-cab alerts are enabled, will the dashcam status update to Obstructed Camera?

    No, in-cab alerts would not trigger any events to the dashboard, therefore also not updating the dashcam status in the reports.

    3. Will a dashcam lens cap trigger an in-cab alert & event for an Obstructed Camera?

    Yes, a lens cap is a physical obstruction and will trigger an in-cab audio alert as well as an event if the vehicle is traveling 15 mph or above for more than 30-seconds.

      • In-cab alerts & events will not trigger if the lens cap is used while the vehicle is traveling below 15 mph or is stationary.
        • No, video recording is disabled while in driver privacy mode and unable to actively identify any physical obstructions being present.
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