What are Driver and Occupant Monitoring Systems (DMS/OMS)?

In the automotive industry, many safety incidents originate from human factors inside the vehicle cabin, such as driver distraction, drowsiness, or passengers not wearing seat belts. As a result, in-cabin monitoring and proactive responses to abnormal behaviors are becoming increasingly essential. The Driver Monitoring System (DMS) and Occupant Monitoring System (OMS) are designed to detect unusual behaviors in real-time, trigger timely alerts to prevent potential accidents. Beyond improving road safety, these systems also help vehicle management companies optimize management and comply with international safety standards.

Overview of Driver and Occupant Monitoring Systems (DMS/OMS)

Among the In-cabin monitoring technologies, Driver Monitoring System (DMS) and Occupant Monitoring System (OMS) are two standout solutions for tracking the status and behavior of people inside a vehicle – including both drivers and passengers.

Driver Monitoring System (DMS)

Driver Monitoring System (DMS) is a system that supports monitoring the driver’s behavior and physical state in real-time. By utilizing a driver-facing camera combined with an Edge AI device, DMS can monitor and recognize any signs of distraction or other risky behavior from the driver. When potential risks are detected, the system issues immediate alerts, prompting the driver to take corrective action and thereby reducing the likelihood of accidents. DMS can detect various signs from the driver, including:

• Distraction: eyes away from the road, looking to the side for prolonged periods.
• Drowsiness/fatigue: blinking rate, eye openness, yawning, abnormal head pose.
• Dangerous behaviors: using a mobile phone, smoking, turning toward the passenger seat while driving.
• Abnormal health indicators: fainting, delayed reactions, or warning signs that suggest potential loss of vehicle control.

Occupant Monitoring System (OMS)

Occupant Monitoring System (OMS) is a system that supports monitoring the condition, number, and position of occupants sitting inside the vehicle. OMS can detect people who have not fastened their seat belts, children left behind, or other emergency situations in the cabin. This is an effective solution that helps passengers receive better care and protection, while also supporting drivers and businesses in supervising vehicles and managing operations. OMS can detect:

• Occupants unfasten seat belts while the vehicle is moving.
• Children, pets, or objects left in the vehicle. OMS can complement Child Presence Detection (CPD) in some vehicles with the ability to monitor the entire cabin, ensure safety not only for children but also for all cabin occupants. With cameras and Edge AI processing data in real-time directly on the vehicle, OMS expands from basic detection to timely alerts and interventions.
• Abnormal posture/immobility: Occupants slumped or immobilized for unusual durations. This ability is especially relevant for public transport (buses, school buses), supporting the detection of abnormal behavior in crowded conditions.

Core technologies of DMS/OMS

Driver Monitoring System (DMS) and Occupant Monitoring System (OMS) leverage advanced technologies to track every movement inside the cabin. Using an in-vehicle camera system, real-time visual data is captured and processed directly by Edge AI devices within the vehicle. Data output will be transmitted to the center control dashboard of the fleet management system, allowing businesses to monitor the conditions of drivers and occupants and issue timely alerts to prevent risks and improve operational safety.

To better understand the technology behind Driver Monitoring System (DMS) and Occupant Monitoring System (OMS), let’s take a closer look at the core components that make these in-cabin monitoring solutions increasingly essential in today’s vehicles.

• Camera: DMS/OMS includes a camera system setting inside the cabin that captures real-time images and helps operations monitor the conditions of people in the car. Specialized cameras such as RGB-IR cameras or wide-angle cameras (up to 140° FOV) are used to cover the entire cabin. These devices are optimized to ensure consistent performance in diverse conditions such as low-light or glare environments.
• Edge AI device:  While cameras have long been widely used, processing the massive volume of visual data they produce has posed some challenges, including reliance on central servers, high latency, and expensive computing resources. Edge AI overcomes these limitations by enabling on-board, real-time analysis, even with a large amount of data. In DMS/OMS systems, an AI box is integrated into the car, allowing camera data to be processed directly on the vehicle. Driver and passenger status signals are analyzed instantly without the need to transmit information to the cloud or external servers, effectively eliminating latency and ensuring continuous monitoring. This capability allows the system to detect potential risks early and issue immediate alerts.

• Fleet management system: DMS/OMS offers a management platform with intuitive dashboards that enable businesses to remotely monitor drivers and passengers, analyze performance, and optimize operations. Thereby, businesses can reduce operational costs, enhance management efficiency, improve driver accountability, and ensure overall service quality.

Benefits of DMS/OMS

Beyond monitoring in-cabin behavior, Driver Monitoring System (DMS) and Occupant Monitoring System (OMS) deliver tangible value to drivers, passengers, and vehicle management companies. Key benefits include:

• Enhanced driving safety and occupant protection: By continuously tracking the driver’s state (distraction, drowsiness, or loss of focus) and passenger conditions (unfastened seat belts, forgotten items, health issues), the system provides early warnings that help reduce accident risks and ensure maximum safety for everyone in the vehicle.
• Improved driver and passenger experience: Drivers benefit from reduced stress through timely alerts, while passengers enjoy greater peace of mind knowing their journey is monitored and safeguarded. This not only enhances comfort for both drivers and passengers but also builds stronger trust in the transportation service.
• Stronger fleet and driver management for businesses: With the ability to collect and analyze driving behavior data, combined with real-time performance reports on an intuitive dashboard, businesses can remotely monitor operations, identify issues early to have on-time solutions, optimize costs, and improve overall management professionalism.

DMS/OMS benefits in the transportation industry

The early integration of DMS/OMS into vehicles delivers not only technical advantages but also significant commercial value for transportation businesses by reducing risks, optimizing operational costs, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and building a stronger competitive edge in the market.

Reducing operational risks and costs from accidents

DMS/OMS enable transportation companies to monitor drivers and passengers in real time, identify potential risks, and issue early safety alerts. By analyzing and providing real-time data, these systems help businesses quickly detect problems arising during vehicle operation and take timely corrective or contingency measures.

When a driver becomes distracted or exhibits unsafe behavior that violates safety protocols, DMS/OMS instantly provide warnings and reminders for drivers to adapt safer driving behavior. This reduces the likelihood of accidents and operational disruptions. As a result, companies can lower expenses related to insurance, repairs, and downtime, while simultaneously enhancing fleet reliability and business reputation.

Improving fleet safety and management efficiency

Integrating with a fleet management system, DMS/OMS evolve into a strategic tool for businesses to manage fleet performance and improve operational safety:

• Driver behavior monitoring: By identifying safe or unsafe driving patterns, companies could provide timely interventions and corrective actions to ensure operation and driver quality.
• Proactive support: Businesses understand driver habits and vehicle conditions, which enables preventive maintenance as well as tailored driver training and coaching programs.

Meeting mandatory safety regulations

Early adoption of DMS/OMS helps enterprises comply with evolving global safety regulations and standards, thereby strengthening competitiveness across major markets such as the EU, US and Asia.

• Europe:
  • From 2024, the General Safety Regulation (GSR) requires all new vehicles to be equipped with driver monitoring and assistance systems. (source)
  • From 2026, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) will incorporate Driver State Monitoring (DSM) and Occupant Monitoring/Child Presence Detection (OMS/CPD) into core scoring criteria, directly influencing vehicle star ratings. (source)
• United States: The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), establish requirements for vehicle design and safety equipment to ensure minimum protection for drivers and passengers (source). While FMVSS does not yet include mandatory regulations specifically for Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) or Occupant Monitoring Systems (OMS), NHTSA is increasingly researching and considering the integration of driver and passenger monitoring technologies, particularly in applications such as seat belt reminders, child presence detection, and driver fatigue monitoring. (source)
• Asia: China is accelerating DMS/OMS adoption in the automotive industry. Between January and October 2023, installations of in-cabin monitoring systems in passenger cars increased by 81.3% year-on-year (source). Furthermore, from July 2024, the China New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) officially includes DMS in active safety assessment criteria, carrying a score weight of 2 points. (source)

DMS/OMS solutions from Vietsol for businesses in the transportation industry

Vietsol is one of the pioneers in delivering comprehensive DMS/OMS solutions for businesses in the transportation and automotive sectors. The DMS/OMS solutions provided by Vietsol include:

• In-vehicle driver monitoring cameras that detect signs of drowsiness, distraction, and high-risk driving behaviors.
• Alarm system that sends real-time alerts directly to the driver in the cabin while continuously syncing data with mobile devices, computers, and the company’s management platform.
• Fleet management system with centralized dashboard and real-time reports, enabling businesses to easily monitor, analyze, and optimize operations.

With the Logistics and Transportation Industry: Vietsol’s DMS/OMS solution is designed for transportation businesses (logistics and passenger transport services), with a strong focus on creating a direct connection between drivers, vehicles and fleet management systems.

• Integration for commercial vehicles and large fleets: DMS/OMS solutions from Vietsol are optimized for deployment across various types of commercial vehicles, including trucks, containers, buses, and taxis. Our solutions provide real-time data on driver behavior, vehicle conditions, and occupant safety, empowering businesses to effectively monitor, analyze and optimize fleet operations.
• Direct connection between drivers and businesses: Beyond in-cabin alerts, all signals and data are instantly synced with the fleet management system. This allows businesses to remotely monitor performance, analyze driver behavior, and make quick decisions in emergencies or operational incidents. By processing and extracting data through the central dashboard, businesses can leverage the information to establish tailored operational standards at the corresponding scale. This opens the way for a unified fleet management system, where Occupant Monitoring Systems (OMS) and Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) serve as two core pillars:

• • Occupant Monitoring Systems (OMS): Designed to monitor people in-cabin or cargo, OMS ensures safety and the overall journey experience. In buses or other passenger transport services, OMS can detect overloading, abnormal behaviors, or potential safety risks inside the cabin. In trucks or containers, the system supports monitoring temperature, vibration, and cargo seal integrity. All collected data is transmitted to the fleet management system, enabling companies to respond proactively.
  • Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS): DMS tracks driver conditions such as fatigue, distraction, or mobile phone usage while driving, then delivers instant in-cabin alerts and simultaneously transmits signals to the central dashboard. This not only protects driver safety but also minimizes legal risks and accident-related costs for businesses.
  • Integrated DMS/OMS with dashboard: When combined with the fleet management platform, all data from DMS/OMS is synchronized, analyzed, and visualized through the dashboard. Fleet managers can generate reports by route, driver, or vehicle, enabling them to define tailored operational standards and optimize costs.
  • Practical applications:
    • In passenger transport, DMS/OMS monitors occupant safety, improves service quality, and reduces operational risks.
    • In logistics, DMS/OMS helps preserve cargo quality, optimizes operations, and strengthens transparency with customers and partners.

What makes Vietsol’s DMS/OMS solution different?

The strength of Vietsol’s DMS/OMS solution lies not only in its advanced core technology but also in its flexibility, adaptability, and cross-industry scalability. Designed for diverse transportation models – ranging from logistics, trucks, and containers to buses and ride-hailing taxis – our solution ensures seamless deployment across industries.

By adopting Vietsol’s DMS/OMS system, businesses can achieve measurable operational improvements:

• Centralized fleet management with full visibility and control.
• Enhanced driver and vehicle productivity
• Lower operating and maintenance costs through proactive risk and accident prevention
• Real-time driver behavior data and performance reports for fast, data-driven decision-making.

As a result, companies not only optimize costs and resources but also strengthen competitiveness and brand reputation.

Different from the conventional systems that heavily depend on cloud database, Vietsol’s DMS/OMS leverages Edge AI technology to process data directly through in-vehicle devices:

• On-device Processing: Vietsol’s DMS/OMS is equipped with an integrated Edge AI processing chipset in the hardware, enabling real-time analysis of data from cameras and sensors (temperature, vibration, GPS, speed,…) without sending the entire dataset to the cloud. This ensures:
  • Instant alerts for fatigue, distraction, or smartphone use while driving
  • Reliable occupant or cargo monitoring (via OMS) even in areas with poor or no internet connection.

• Computer Vision algorithms optimized for cabin and journey monitoring: Edge AI is trained on diverse datasets of driver behaviors and real-world traffic scenarios in Vietnam, allowing for highly accurate detection:
  • Cabin cameras can identify eyes, facial expressions, and driver posture in low-light conditions or during vehicle vibrations.
  • OMS tracks and analyzes occupant behavior or cargo conditions in real time, such as detecting overloads, unusual activities, or safety violations.
• Reducing cloud load and enhancing security with event-based reporting: Edge AI transmits only critical events to the fleet management system instead of full video data. Key benefits include:
  • Lower bandwidth usage and reduced data transmission costs.
  • Enhanced security, minimizing the risk of sensitive data exposure.
  • Optimized cloud infrastructure, enabling businesses to scale operations without heavy investment in servers.
• Smart Dashboard Integration: Edge AI processing outputs such as fatigue alert rate, number of hard braking events, cargo incidents, or unusual behavior, are synchronized with the central DMS/OMS dashboard. This enables fleet managers and businesses to:
  • Track KPIs in real-time
  • Use Edge AI data as an effective tool for driver training based on real-world scenarios.
  • Customize operational standards and policies based on collected data.

Conclusion: Effective fleet management and safety with DMS/OMS

The adoption of Driver Monitoring System (DMS) and Occupant Monitoring System (OMS) not only prevents accident risks caused by driver distraction or abnormal in-cabin behavior but also serves as a comprehensive management tool for businesses. With Vietsol’s integrated and flexible DMS/OMS solutions, companies can optimize fleet operations, reduce maintenance and insurance costs, and enhance both vehicle and workforce efficiency. More importantly, the system enables companies to meet international safety standards, reinforce brand reputation and gain a stronger competitive edge in the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the differences between DMS and OMS?

DMS (Driver Monitoring System) and OMS (Occupant Monitoring System) are both part of the broader in-cabin monitoring technologies, but they serve distinct purposes. DMS focuses on monitoring the driver to reduce risks caused by distraction, fatigue, or unsafe behaviors. OMS, on the other hand, monitors all occupants and the in-cabin environment to ensure safety and support emergency response. When integrated, these two systems provide a comprehensive view of in-vehicle safety and enhance the overall driving and passenger experience.

What types of vehicles can DMS/OMS be applied to?

The DMS/OMS system is designed with high flexibility, making it suitable for a wide range of vehicles and industries. With international safety standards such as FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, regulated by NHTSA in the U.S.) and the General Safety Regulation (GSR) in Europe, DMS/OMS is becoming increasingly essential and widely adopted. These systems help businesses enhance safety levels, optimize fleet management efficiency, and ensure regulatory compliance on a global scale.

DMS/OMS can be applied to multiple vehicle categories, including:

• Private vehicles: Enhance safe driving experiences while enabling businesses to meet regulatory requirements.
• Buses and coaches: Ensure passenger safety, monitor seatbelt compliance, and prevent accidents caused by driver distraction.
• Trucks and logistics fleets: Minimize accident risks related to transportation, strengthen brand credibility, and reduce insurance costs.
• Taxis: Protect drivers while enhancing passenger experience, building greater trust among service users.
• Specialized vehicles (ambulances, police cars,…): Ensure continuous, accurate operations in emergency situations.

Does installing DMS/OMS change the vehicle’s structure?

No. The system is designed for flexible in-vehicle installation without affecting the vehicle’s original structure. Vietsol also provides optimized DMS/OMS solutions tailored to each cabin, ensuring stable and durable performance even under continuous operation. This allows businesses to preserve vehicle value while deploying the solution on a large scale without disrupting transportation activities.