Minnesota Police Pilots A.I. Powered Cameras to Combat Distracted Driving

The South Lake Minnetonka Police Department (SLMPD) has deployed advanced A.I. camera technology to tackle distracted driving. The system part of a $450,000 grant awarded to the Highway 7 Safety Coalition, developed by Australian-based company Acusensus, features bright orange bars equipped with multiple cameras angled to capture images of vehicle interiors. Known as the “Heads Up” system, it uses A.I. to detect drivers using cell phones or not wearing seatbelts. When a violation is identified, the system alerts nearby officers, who review the images and take enforcement action.

The technology has been installed along Highway 7, west of the Twin Cities, as part of a broader effort to reduce crashes and fatalities. Since its deployment earlier this month, the system has already issued over 100 citations, with projections of detecting more than 10,000 violations by the end of the month.