Beijing to monitor bus drivers’ ‘feelings’ using AI surveillance bracelets

Posted on : September 26, 2022
Beijing to monitor bus drivers’ ‘feelings’ using AI surveillance bracelets

Transport authorities in Beijing have begun tracking the emotions and health of long-distance bus drivers in an attempt to 'improve safety'.

According to the Beijing Public Transport Consortium, drivers have been issued with electronic bracelets that can monitor everything from their blood pressure and sleep patterns to their feelings.

Local newspaper 'Baijing Daily' reports that the agency delivered 1800 bracelets to drivers. It's not clear what brand the smart wristbands are but they reportedly measure biometrics in 'real time' to detect anxiety, sickness, and overall fitness.

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In a statement on Chinese social network Weibo, the company said: "The distribution of bracelets is a technological means to strengthen the physical and mental health of drivers."

The initiative follows a bus accident last week in the city of Guiyang which killed 27 people.

The devices in question have previously been used in China to monitor body temperature after travelling in order to keep track of coronavirus cases.

They're also being used to track people charged of minor crimes to 'reduce arrests', according to the Chinese Public Prosecutor's Office.

The move has been criticised in China for invading employees' privacy and being a potential source for 'discrimination' against drivers.

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It's not clear whether bus drivers will be forced to wear the bracelets or not.

The Chinese government routinely uses surveillance of its citizens. This year authorities unveiled the 'Iron Cage' system which uses AI to gather data on people and spot crimes 'before they even happen'.

Leaked documents obtained by the New York Times showed that Beijing authorities is building profiles of its citizens using data on their criminal records, background, and 2.5 billion facial recognition images to keep tabs on them.

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