Hyundai Mobis Develops Radar-Based 'Rear Seat Occupant Detection System'

Preventing Accidents from Leaving Infants and Toddlers in Vehicles... No Global Mass Production Cases
Higher Accuracy than Existing Sensors Detects Even Subtle Movements

Hyundai Mobis has succeeded in developing a radar-based occupant detection system. Researchers at Hyundai Mobis Yongin Technical Research Center are testing the occupant detection system. (Photo by Hyundai Mobis)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jihee Kim] Hyundai Mobis announced on the 22nd that it has succeeded in developing a system (ROA) that detects rear-seat passengers using 'radar'.

ROA is a device designed to prevent accidents caused by leaving passengers unattended in the rear seat. Hyundai Mobis replaced the existing child car seat weight sensors or ultrasonic sensors with radar sensors to improve detection accuracy. Through this, it is expected to prevent safety accidents caused by leaving infants unattended in vehicles during the summer. Hyundai Mobis plans to propose the application of this system to global automakers.

This system was developed based on radar, which is mainly used as a sensor for autonomous driving, and the core is the design of software algorithms that distinguish subtle movements of passengers. Radar can penetrate clothing and measure various biometric signals such as subtle movements of the passenger's chest and blood flow, allowing more accurate determination of whether there is a passenger in the rear seat. This overcomes the drawback of existing camera sensors that fail to recognize infants covered with blankets.

When a passenger is left in the rear seat and the door is closed, the system notifies through sounds, the instrument panel, or smartphones. The system developed by Hyundai Mobis has secured electromagnetic reliability to operate normally even near high-voltage lines or railroads, and is sophisticated enough to distinguish between adults, infants, and pets. Hyundai Mobis plans to expand biometric recognition functions by developing radar capable of measuring passengers' heart rates this year.

Hyundai Mobis proactively developed related technologies in response to global key markets such as North America and Europe introducing laws and regulations to prevent infant abandonment accidents in vehicles. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 50 infant heatstroke deaths occur annually in the United States. In Europe, passenger detection technology will be mandatory for new cars starting in 2022.

After securing sensor technology that detects the vehicle exterior for autonomous driving, Hyundai Mobis is focusing on developing in-cabin sensor technology, another pillar of autonomous driving. In addition to this radar-based passenger detection system, last year the company developed a Driver State Warning system (DSW) based on cameras that tracks the driver's pupils to prevent drowsy driving. Hyundai Mobis plans to sequentially secure sensor fusion technology that combines radar and cameras to dominate the in-cabin sensor market.

Jang Jae-ho, Executive Director of Hyundai Mobis EE Research Center, said, "We are dedicated to developing specialized technologies that consider passenger safety based on in-cabin sensing technology," adding, "Active airbags considering passenger body shape and position, and healthcare technologies that measure heart rate to prepare for emergencies such as cardiac arrest will also be introduced to the market soon."

Meanwhile, the in-cabin sensor market is rapidly growing recently. According to global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, the vehicle radar market is expected to grow from $4 billion (about 5 trillion KRW) this year to $14 billion (about 17 trillion KRW) by 2030.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.