Hyundai Mobis unveils new in-cabin healthcare technology to analyze brain waves

By Lim Chang-won Posted : July 21, 2021, 14:59 Updated : July 21, 2021, 14:59

[Courtesy of Hyundai Mobis]

SEOUL -- Hyundai Mobis, a parts-making unit of South Korea's Hyundai auto group, unveiled a new in-cabin healthcare technology that can measure and analyze brain waves to check drivers' conditions. The technology is expected to prevent accidents that can occur due to drowsy driving or sudden health problems.

The new healthcare technology called "M. Brain" will be applied to public buses for evaluation. Hyundai Mobis would expand the demonstration of its new technology to commercial vehicles. "In addition to the safety and convenience of passengers who are needed at the fully autonomous driving stage, we have started to produce results in digital healthcare," Hyundai Mobis' research sector head Lee Seung-hwan said in a statement on July 21.

M. Brain uses ear set-type sensors to detect brain waves around ears and determine the condition of drivers. machine-learning interprets what brainwave signals mean. Connected to a smartphone app, M. Brain sends a warning when the driver's attention is lost. Accident reduction technology warns various sensory organs by using LED around the driver's seat, a vibration seat, and a headrest speaker.

Biohealthcare technology will eventually evolve into a customized in-cabin safety service that integrates brain waves and other biological signals to understand the psychology of passengers, Hyundai Mobis said, adding that in the self-driving stage, various healthcare and entertainment services for passengers would emerge separately from recognizing the driving environment outside the vehicle.

Hyundai Mobis has accelerated the development of sensors, cameras and other parts for autonomous vehicles and infotainment for autonomous vehicles. In 2019, the company made a strategic investment in Beijing Deep Glint Technology, a Chinese startup known for face recognition technology, to develop motion recognition and pattern analysis using deep learning. Face recognition would be used to prevent drowsiness driving and detect health problems.

In March 2020, Hyundai Mobis unveiled an in-cabin safety alert system using radar sensors to prevent child vehicular heatstroke deaths. The radar-based rear occupant alert (ROA) system alerts the driver through the instrument panel or smartphone if a passenger remains in the back seat. Hyundai Mobis would upgrade its system to measure the heart rate of passengers.

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