Computer scientists from Edith Cowan University in Australia have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based automated system for identifying the license plates of problematic drivers.

The license recognition technology reportedly works under virtually any conditions — heavy rain and low light among others — in real time via artificial neural network technology.

Combined with facial recognition, the technology could potentially be used to track drivers engaged in dangerous driving behaviors such as sleeping at the wheel, texting while driving or moving erratically.

According to its developers, the technology could potentially be used to notify law enforcement of such drivers early enough so that they can intervene before accidents take place.

The technology was tested on a Malaysian highway where the research team determined that it could detect and recognize the majority of license plates.

The research, "A Vision-Based Machine Learning Method for Barrier Access Control Using Vehicle License Plate Authentication," was published in the journal Sensors.