Infrared uses and adoption
RGB-infrared and 2D infrared cameras are used primarily in driver monitoring systems to track gaze, eyelids, and head movement, while facial analysis could be used to detect the age and emotional states of the driver. The attention to detail attainable with infrared technology, including distraction and drowsiness monitoring, is now mandated as a part of the ADDW (advanced driver drowsiness warning) regulation. Many existing vehicles are not currently equipped with these active camera systems for driver monitoring, however, for new vehicles that have these systems installed, around 38% of them had adopted 2D infrared cameras for driver monitoring systems as of 2023, according to IDTechEx.
Steering wheel sensing and radar technology
Amongst all the vehicles with hands-on detection features, most of them use torque sensors, with some high-end applications adopting capacitive sensors. With the information retrieved by the sensors, the car could alert the driver when insufficient contact with the wheel is being made to enhance the car’s safety features and communication with the driver. In the future, ECG sensing technology could also be incorporated into the steering wheel to monitor the driver’s heart rate, though this is not yet commercialized.
Gesture control, child detection, fatigue monitoring, and position and movement tracking can all be achieved with time-of-flight cameras. These features form part of a vehicle’s occupant monitoring system and infotainment to ensure the safety of other passengers within the vehicle is optimized, though they are expensive to create and deploy. Radar technology can also be used for occupancy detection, vital sign monitoring via the Doppler effect, and unattended child detection. They can work within sub-millimeter boundaries with a typical frequency of 60GHz.
Regulations and the future of in-cabin sensing
Regulations in Europe, China, and the US now make it necessary for OEMs to utilize technologies for driver monitoring and occupant monitoring systems. Europe’s Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) and Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) are just two examples of the rising awareness of the need for increased safety features within vehicles, with regulations now driving the increasing adoption of these technologies by OEMs. From the OEM perspective, costs are also an important consideration as the automotive industry is sensitive to such expenses. Therefore, many OEMs are trying to improve software to reduce dependence on expensive hardware.
For more information on the future of in-cabin sensing, including downloadable sample pages, visit IDTechEx’s report, www.IDTechEx.com/InCabinSensing, which details the pros and cons of different technology applications and their market readiness.