Hyundai Mobis has developed a system for detecting rear-seat passengers with radar to prevent them being left unattended.
Compared to weight or ultrasonic sensors, the Rear Occupant Alert improves detection by replacing them with a radar sensor.
It is expected to prevent heatstroke accidents caused by children being left unattended in vehicles and other safety accidents.
Jang Jae-ho, director of the EE research center at Hyundai Mobis, said, “As the radar can penetrate clothes and measure various biosignals, e.g. micromovements of passengers’ chests and bloodflow, it can detect the presence of passengers in rear seats more accurately. It overcame the weakness of the camera sensor, which cannot recognize babies covered in blankets. So far, there is no known case of application to global auto makers.”
If a passenger is left in the rear seat, the driver is alerted by sound when the door is closed, or through the instrument panel or smartphone.
The system has secured electromagnetic reliability so that it works normally near high-voltage lines and railroad tracks, and can distinguish between adults, infants and pets.
Hyundai Mobis is planning to develop a radar capable of measuring heartbeats and expand the biometric function this year.
