Hyundai Mobis pioneers development of vital signs integrated controller for safe driving

On June 23, Hyundai Mobis announced that it has developed an integrated controller that can analyze drivers' vital signs (such as posture, heart rate and brain waves), becoming the first company in the world to develop such a controller.

Hyundai Mobis calls it the Smart Cabin Controller, which consists of four sensors that measure the occupants’ vital signs, a controller that analyzes those signs, and software logic. It can be said that Hyundai Mobis has developed something like an advanced brain that can analyze vital signs that change in real time.

Image source: Hyundai Mobis

Although controllers capable of processing certain vital signs already exist in the mobility industry, this is the first time that a dedicated healthcare controller capable of comprehensive analysis of various vital signs has been developed. With this controller, Hyundai Mobis will realize safety technology that focuses on occupants rather than vehicle performance.

Hyundai Mobis expects that this dedicated vital signs controller will enable the vehicle to function as a "mobile health check-up center." The company plans to combine this new medical technology with mobility to preemptively capture this market, which is still in its infancy.

"Our core competitive strengths are software solutions designed to apply healthcare to mobility and controllers that enable integrated control," said Cheon Jae-seung, head of Hyundai Mobis' R&D division. "Based on the unique vital signs database we have built, we will further upgrade this technology to offer more functions, including motion sickness prevention, stress management and deterring drunk driving."

The smart cockpit controller is equipped with four sensors: a 3D camera that captures the occupant's posture, an electrocardiogram sensor mounted on the steering wheel, an in-ear sensor for measuring brain waves around the ear, and an HVAC sensor for measuring cabin temperature/humidity and carbon dioxide levels. The controller can analyze various vital signs collected from these sensors in real time to help safe driving.

Image source: Hyundai Mobis

For example, if the ECG sensor detects that the driver's stress level is high, the controller recommends switching to autonomous driving mode; if the CO2 level is too high, the controller opens the windows or switches to external circulation mode. It is expected that this technology will be further developed to be able to guide the vehicle to the emergency room in emergency situations such as cardiac arrest.

Last year, Hyundai Mobis also pioneered the development of M.Brain, a brainwave-based driver monitoring system, and continues to expand its global footprint with M.VICS, an autonomous driving cockpit system equipped with various latest healthcare technologies, including electrocardiogram sensors, driver monitoring cameras and motion sickness mitigation technology.