New EU rules put a driver-watching AI camera in every new car starting July 7

What happened

On July 7, 2026, Phase 2 of the EU General Safety Regulation (GSR) came into force, mandating AI-based driver attention monitoring in all newly registered cars and vans sold in the EU.

Context and impact

A cabin-facing camera monitors driver gaze direction and head position, triggering an alert when attention drifts from the road for more than 3.5 seconds above 50 km/h, or 6 seconds at 20–50 km/h. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about continuous AI surveillance inside vehicles.

Details

• Mandatory: cabin camera + AI gaze and head-position analysis
• Alert thresholds: 3.5s above 50 km/h; 6s at 20–50 km/h
• Also mandated: enhanced AEB detecting pedestrians and cyclists
• Additional: worn-tyre testing standards, expanded safety glass requirements
• Applies to new vehicle registrations only, not existing vehicles