Volvo Trucks is expanding its driver warning system "Driver Alert Support" with an eye-tracking camera. The new technology is intended to monitor the attention of truck drivers and detect early signs of fatigue or distraction. The aim is to increase road safety. Volvo Trucks, with the extended system, meets the tightened requirements of the upcoming EU legislation on vehicle safety, which will be mandatory from July 2026.
"After several hours of driving, it can be difficult to stay awake and focused behind the wheel. Our updated 'Driver Alert Support' is even better at recognizing and warning drivers who show signs of fatigue or distraction," said Anna Wrige Berling, Director of Traffic and Product Safety at Volvo Trucks.
Two cameras analyze driving behavior and eye movements
The updated "Driver Alert Support" combines two cameras: A forward-facing camera analyzes driving behavior, such as lane keeping and steering movements. It is already part of the previous solution. A new eye-tracking camera is added, mounted above the side display in the driver’s cabin. It tracks the driver's gaze and detects distraction or
fatigue.
When the system registers critical behavior, an initial warning is issued via a pop-up on the display as well as an audible signal. If there is no reaction and inattentive driving continues, the warning is intensified.
Driver camera monitoring can be manually deactivated
The new safety feature is active as soon as the vehicle exceeds a speed of 18 km/h. The system automatically powers on when the ignition is turned on, but can be manually deactivated – in line with the European General Safety Regulation (GSR2). This regulation provides that trucks from July 2026 must be equipped with a so-called Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) to reduce the number of accidents caused by distraction.
The Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) is intended to prevent drivers from being distracted by looking away from traffic for extended periods. In contrast to fatigue-detection systems (Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning, DDAW), which assess the general level of attention based on driving behavior, ADDW specifically records the driver's gaze path.
It detects when the gaze is directed at non-traffic-relevant areas such as
the lap, the dashboard, or the footwell for a defined period – at speeds over 50 km/h after 3.5 seconds, below that after 6 seconds. In such cases, the system issues a staged warning in the form of visual, auditory, or haptic signals.
EU Regulation 2023/2590 governs the technical requirements and test procedures. This also includes "Spot-Check" tests with fixed focal points as well as extensive validation data from experiments with human subjects. The aim is to permanently improve attention in road traffic and to significantly reduce distraction-related accidents.
New "Driver Alert Support" in the Volvo FH, Volvo FM, Volvo FL and Volvo FE ranges
At Volvo Trucks, the enhanced "Driver Alert Support" will be fitted as standard from November 2025 in the heavy ranges Volvo FH and Volvo FM, as well as in the mid-range models Volvo FL and Volvo FE. This applies to all EU markets and to selected countries outside the EU, including Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. For other markets, the system remains optionally orderable. In regions not covered by the EU regulation,
Volvo Trucks will continue to offer the previous front-camera version.
The introduction of the extended warning system underlines Volvo Trucks' safety ethos, the company says. It pursues the long-term vision "Zero Accidents". The Volvo FH and Volvo FM models each received the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP's first safety test for heavy-duty vehicles in 2024.
Driver Alert Support – Function overview (from November 2025)
Two-camera system:
- Eye-tracking camera detects gaze behavior
- Forward-facing camera analyzes lane keeping and steering movements
Detection of distraction and fatigue:
- The system responds to typical signs of inattentive driving
- Active at 18 km/h
Warning mechanism in two stages:
- Stage 1: Pop-up notification + audible alert
- Stage 2: Increased warning for continued inattention
Automatic activation:
- Starts with turning on the ignition
Manual deactivation possible:
- Complies with the EU General Safety Regulation (GSR2) requirements
- Meets legal requirements from July 2026 (Advanced Driver Distraction Warning)
Availability:
- Standard on Volvo FH, FM, FL and FE in the EU, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom
- Optional in other markets
- In non-EU regions, the previous front-camera version remains available
(Source: Volvo
