AutoSens-InCabin Europe 2024: A Journey into Automotive Vision Technology

Earlier this October, Eye2Drive‘s team had the privilege of attending AutoSens InCabin Europe 2024 in Barcelona, a leading niche event focused on automotive vision technology. As Eye2Drive, we showcased our innovative approach to vision sensors, highlighting their relevance to in-cabin applications and addressing broader uses in ADAS (Advanced driver-assistance system) and external vehicle monitoring. The conference offered a highly specialized and technical environment, gathering a diverse mix of industry players, from OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to component providers like us.

HDR Technology and Flicker Immunity

Our booth at InCabin Europe 2024, located on the main exhibition floor, drew considerable attention to the unique capabilities of our HDR (High dynamic range) vision sensor technology. The audience, consisting of many major industry operators, was particularly interested in our sensor’s innate immunity to flickering—a significant advantage in the automotive field. Flickering is a persistent issue with conventional sensors, usually addressed through software-based mitigation strategies that can sometimes fail. Our native immunity to flicker, achieved without additional processing, was perceived as a noteworthy solution by many experts.

Adaptability to Changing Light Conditions

Another hot topic that generated much interest was our sensor’s adaptability to varying light conditions—critical for both in-cabin and exterior automotive applications. Eye2Drive technology allows real-time adaptation of the sensor’s performance, including dynamic range and sensitivity, even on a frame-by-frame basis. This level of flexibility was received enthusiastically, particularly as it aligns with the demands for stable imaging in challenging automotive environments.
 
Additionally, we received positive feedback on our combination of global shutter with high dynamic range (HDR). This combination is especially valuable for in-cabin monitoring related to gesture recognition and other advanced vehicle features, as it enables stable imaging without the motion artifacts that can hinder reliability. Themes such as power consumption, compact design, and cost-efficiency also resonated strongly with our audience, emphasizing our solution’s advantages over the competition for interior and exterior monitoring setups.

Global Shutter and HDR Combination for Enhanced In-Cabin Monitoring

Beyond our interactions, AutoSens InCabin offered an exciting glimpse into the latest trends in the automotive vision landscape. One key evolution we observed is the expanding scope of in-cabin monitoring, not just for safety but also for enhancing comfort and entertainment. The number and varieties of sensors are increasing, allowing for more nuanced tracking of drivers’ and passengers’ well-being. Visual feedback, such as color (not limited to IR) and stable images provided by Global Shutter, is now being used to assess vital signs and other health parameters—showcasing how comprehensive these systems are becoming.

Expanding Applications of In-Cabin Monitoring

Among the standout solutions presented were advanced in-cabin monitoring systems from Aisin, FICOSA, Rheinmetall, and ZF LIFETEC. These companies demonstrated impressive progress toward more integrated and user-friendly in-cabin solutions. Vision sensor technology also saw strong representation from the major players—Sony, Samsung, OnSemi, and OmniVision—and innovative solutions from newcomers. A particularly intriguing innovation was Sheba Microsystems Inc.‘s use of MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) technology to stabilize focus, providing an elegant hardware-level solution to a longstanding problem. We also saw plenty of cutting-edge software and AI advancements, with companies like SmartSense and RabbitAI leading the charge at different market levels.

Our Vision for the Future of Automotive Imaging

AutoSens InCabin reaffirmed our belief in bringing disruptive, enabling technologies to market. Our vision sensor can serve diverse applications—from driver and passenger monitoring to ADAS and beyond—empowering automotive systems to operate effectively in real-world conditions. The engagement and enthusiasm we experienced at the event indicate that our approach resonates with those looking for high performance, reliability, and efficiency in automotive vision technology.