Lexus LS600hL's face detection camera, warning system get spied

Face detection on your average digicam may not seem that special, but strapping the feature atop your steering column can certainly make for a more enjoyable (and safer) driving experience. Lexus' new LS600hL sports a Driver Monitoring System, which places a detection device in front of the driver's seat that keeps a close eye on the orientation of the his / her face, and if it sees that you're peering off at the continually changing MINI billboard or checking out the overhead wind energy producer, it kicks into action. The system will send audible and visual alerts at first in an attempt to get your attention back, and can eventually "apply the brakes on its own" if the previous warnings prove futile. Moreover, it can reportedly "reprogram the steering ratio and amplify the intensity and quickness of the steering response" to keep motorists safe, but there's no word on whether or not a retinal scanner add-on will be available to automatically adjust user preferences depending on which driver hops in the seat. Click on through for another snapshot.

[StevO @ May 3rd 2007 9:17PM]

Big Brother is watching you...for your own protection.

[A_Hood @ May 3rd 2007 9:45PM]

I'm quite sure there is a little black box somewhere recording your face as you drive. If you have a accident, the police have evidence that you were talking on your cell phone or turned around checking on your kid.

[CT A @ May 3rd 2007 10:02PM]

"Big Brother is watching you...for your own protection."

Or they say.

[fearless_fx @ May 3rd 2007 10:04PM]

*Cough* annoying.

[IsNoGood @ May 3rd 2007 10:46PM]

A Car that I for one will never by, unless somebody rip that function out....

[ark_v2 @ May 3rd 2007 10:53PM]

Is it just me or isn't it more dangerous to have a computer brake instead of the driver..

[David @ May 3rd 2007 11:06PM]

This sounds incredibly dangerous, assuming this thing's effects are nontrivial. It banks heavily on the infallibility of the software: what happens if the system decides (erroneously) that something is wrong while you're barreling down the freeway and attempts to wrest control of the vehicle from you? A disaster, that's what.

Hopefully you can just turn it off.

[aStopperBy @ May 5th 2007 9:36PM]

I guess you just have to trust this just like people trust their Electronic Stability Control software. On another note, I doubt that the software will tell the car to come to a full stop

[Dave 8o) @ May 4th 2007 3:59AM]

If they can put facial recognition into this thing, why don't thy tie it into the immobilizer? That way the car will only start if it recognizes you. A car thief is going to be a lot less likely to chop your head off to steal your car, than say your finger. ( http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/ )

OK this might be a pain is your pissed and need your buddy to drive you home,

[Edward @ May 4th 2007 4:01AM]

This is very good.
Afterall, driving a Lexus is pretty damn sleep-inducing.

[Joe @ May 4th 2007 6:34AM]

There's a flaw in the design: What if im drifting?

[nikster @ May 4th 2007 9:53AM]

super! i will get this when i am 80 years old.

[Zero @ May 4th 2007 3:31PM]

Those bashing Lexus have probably never driven a Lexus in their lives. I received my mother's 2003 RX300 because she no longer drives it and I have to say the ride is smooth. Sure it doesn't let you feel the road like German cars, but Lexus is a pure luxury car, not a sports car. There's a reason why Lexus outsold BMW and Mercedes-Benz for the last 6 years (I think). Better prices, unbeatable quality, true luxury car, unbeatable reliability, and one of the best customer service.

Anyway, that feature is nice, but there should definitely be an option to turn the feature off.

[Mark @ May 7th 2007 2:49PM]

They should also make it so only you can drive the car. It would be a great theft deterrent system.

[Rasti @ May 9th 2007 7:21AM]

The software can fail on a new unit. Try to figure out if you buy this car with more than 10 years of use.. ..scary, isnt it?