‘Dystopian’ new UK traffic cameras use AI to ‘spy’ on drivers inside …

UK drivers will be the first in the world to be spied on by AI, following the launch of a controversial new speed camera.

The speed camera, which has been nicknamed 'Big Brother's cash machine' by motorist advocates, uses AI and '4D' radar to spy on drivers inside their cars.

That means it won't just be able to catch out speeding drivers but anyone who uses their phone or fails to wear a seatbelt while sat behind the wheel.

The Redspeed Sentio^[2] camera was first installed on the A23 in Lambeth, South London, where it was trialled on unsuspecting drivers.

The AI camera is capable of keeping an eye on up to six lanes of traffic and can 'talk' to other cameras on route to check for your average speed.

They can even check your car for insurance and tax.

However, the cameras have already been criticised for being a 'step too far'.

Nick Freeman, a lawyer who specialises in motoring, said: "As drivers we are all becoming sitting ducks. This could just be a step too far.

"It could help alleviate the lack of police on our roads. But we will always be missing something when we don't have that human element."

The cameras have been described as 'a threat to everyone's privacy' (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Meanwhile, Jake Hurfurt, head of Big Brother Watch, said: "This kind of intrusive and creepy surveillance which treats every passer-by as a potential suspect is excessive and normalising.

"It poses a threat to everyone's privacy. People should be free to go about their lives without being analysed by faceless AI systems."

However, statistics suggest that fatalities within 1600 ft of London's 1000 (non-AI) speed cameras have fallen by 58 percent.

Meanwhile, TfL has insisted that 'AI functionality' is not currently in use.

References

1. ^{^} AI robots could start Terminator-style nuclear 'catastrophe', experts predict (www.dailystar.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Redspeed Sentio (www.redspeed-int.com)