AI Driver Facing Cameras, how’s it going?

Logged back into my old account just for this.

I recently worked for a FedEx Ground contractor where they had "dumb" driver-facing cameras. I really did not like them, but I knew the three people that had access to the footage, and they never bothered me so I kept on driving and it was fine. I quit there because XPO was offering me about 38 dollars per hour plus amazing benefits.

XPO in my area uses Samsara which I had never heard of. It is the "smart" AI-enabled front and back camera with the "coaching" system. If I typed out how I really felt about it I would probably get banned from this forum. It is horrible, and it gives an extraordinary amount of power to bad managers. The safety guy pulled me into a meeting because the camera caught me looking down at the dashboard twice in one day which was apparently really bad.

I laughed because I thought he was joking when he said that, but nope he was dead serious and he said his guys only set off the camera like twice a year. I have dealt with a lot of horrible disrespect in my 6 years of trucking, but this was the first time I have quit on the spot and walked out. Couldn't believe that this guy who laughed at ME when I told him I check for missing bolts on the trailer frame during my pre-trip was not only in charge of safety but penalized drivers for looking down.

I thought "no-big-deal, I'll easily get another job", but I started asking companies over the phone if they use cameras and everyone I found said they use Samsara. It completely took over the trucking industry in Massachusetts while I wasn't looking. I finally found one company that told me they got rid of their inward-facing camera after driver complaints, but they still had the "coaching" system which wouldn't even let you do a U-turn without sending your boss an email saying you were unsafe. When I started in food service we used to do about a dozen U-turns a day in tractor-trailers. I've read and been taught many times to avoid backing when possible because it is the riskiest maneuver, but that's what the company wants you to do when you go into a dead-end area.

Don't even get me started about the "harsh braking" events that trigger the camera when you stop too quick. I just DO NOT understand how a company can say they are all "safety first" and then go and penalize usage of the brake pedal.

These companies do not care about safety at all. It is "money first", and they will do whatever the insurance company wants even if it is LESS SAFE. The rules were written by someone who has never been inside a truck, and they are enforced by jerks who just enjoy harassing drivers all day for no reason.

I started looking into the cabs of other trucks I see on the highway, and I recognize the Samsara camera all the time. It is everywhere. I haven't been able to find a trucking job that does not have them, so I finally decided to quit trucking this past week. I've been completely accident-free with no tickets, no warnings , and nothing but clean inspections, but that doesn't count for anything anymore. The only thing that matters is playing the stupid Samsara game and hoping you get a good safety manager that leaves you alone.

Yeah sorry that was a lot, but I'm still really mad about this. What makes it even worse is that it feels like I'm the only driver bothered by this. I've seen guys with "don't tread on me" bumper stickers on their car walk into the office and say with a straight face "yeah I really like the camera".

Am I losing my mind?

 

I guess now we know what its like to be an actor huh? My first experience being "filmed" was when I got a job with a large company that was contracted to deliver fuel out to the coal mines. That was in 2018 and subsequently every other company I've worked for since has also had camera's installed both outwards facing, inwards (towards driver) and with some also having rear vision mounted cameras filming down both sides of the truck and trailer. The ones facing forward and the rear facing cameras do film none stop, however the driver facing camera will usually only come on when you for example have a micro sleep, some are even designed so that they will send some kind of vibration through your seat, it really does wake you up if you are getting sleepy. Each company has their own design and set of standards when it comes to how exactly the camera's work, its not like someone is sitting there watching you 24/7 even if the camera's are actually filming non stop, most of these are monitored by another company that the transport company will pay to specially monitor drivers. When it comes to camera's I mean seriously this is the way of future, whether you walk into a post office, bank, or simply down some city streets you'll find you are on camera unless you want to go live on some remote island this is now just part of life. Personally I have no issues with the camera's provided the CEO's that make the decisions are perfectly agreeable to have cameras watching them in their office as well. Eventually you do get used to them, I actually just find them amusing and make all kinds of funny faces, and pretend to fall asleep just for the camera, it actually helps me stay awake just knowing I'm possibly being filmed. But I also understand why some would be concerned, specially if you've stopped the truck it is after all your home, If I'm stopped and suspect it is still filming I'll just cover it up, the curtains in the sleeper do give you some privacy as well. The key is to make sure if you've covered over the camera to remove the covering once you start driving again, I know with our company if you got caught covering it up while the truck was moving you'd be warned then dismissed if it happened again.

 

Just because you recognize the camera system doesn’t mean they’re all driver facing, too. I have the Lytx camera in my truck for the company I’m leased to and it’s had a piece of tape over the inward camera since day one because they don’t run inward cameras.

 

Any time an AI is involved with regulating or watching the individual, it is never beneficial to the individual.
The truth will keep you up at night. Here is a little bed time story:
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/uMQ3cqWDPHhjtiesc/agi-ruin-a-list-of-lethalities

 

I work with a USA company that introduced these cameras. Feedback’s been mixed – some appreciate the extra safety coaching, while others find it intrusive and quitting. We’re tweaking it based on driver input. AI is here, it is a tool, it can help, it can have negative consequences. I can say that USA is way more advanced than here in europe. Europe is slow and itroduces many privacy policy and guardian laws before something is passed. For now that is all good here.