ADI and Jungo Collaborate on In-Cabin Monitoring Technology for Vehicle Safety

Jungo’s CoDriver software monitors cabin occupants for safety and personalization. (Image courtesy of Jungo Connectivity.)

A technology called 3D time-of-flight (ToF) captures short-range depth information using high-powered optical pulses from its immediate environment. This type of scannerless LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is enhanced by analogous systems that include components like laser drivers, development boards and power management systems. 3D ToF systems are implemented by companies such as the Massachusetts-based Analog Devices Inc.

The company recently announced a collaboration with Jungo to develop a ToF and 2D infrared (IR)-based camera system for the automotive industry. Jungo Connectivity was founded in 2013 as an automotive software divestiture from Cisco Systems, and it’s developed a product called Jungo’s CoDriver. This in-cabin driver monitoring solution is aimed at helping car manufacturers build and design safer cars while keeping a developmental eye toward autonomous cars.

So, What Are ADI and Jungo Up To?

They’re combining their technologies, specifically ADI’s ToF technology and Jungo’s CoDriver software. Together, the two companies are building an in-cabin monitoring system capable of tracking vehicle occupants. The system will check occupants for degrees of distraction and drowsiness by observing and gathering information about head and body position, and eye gaze.

Over time, Jungo and ADI are hoping to develop the in-cabin monitoring system’s capabilities to enable “smart vehicle interaction” based on face and body movements. It will also identify people in the car using facial recognition, which will give them access to personalized services.

On the computing side of this collaboration, Jungo’s CoDriver software engages in big data analytics of the monitored occupants using computer vision, deep learning and machine learning algorithms to understand the driver’s state of mind using driver-facing cameras. The software also supports in-vehicle full detection technology with functions such as counting the number of occupants, detection of whether seat belts are being worn, or detection or observing of critical medical conditions.

Jungo’s CoDriver in-cabin monitoring algorithms will be used by automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), which will likely raise some privacy concerns among consumers who value their privacy. The idea that in-cabin monitoring of highly personal data for safety reasons raises questions about whether the data will be sold to third parties as is the modern concern of any digitized personal data.

Bottom Line

Jungo and ADI likely have good intentions and want to help make cars smarter. After all, the positive effect of possibly detecting an intoxicated or sleepy driver and having the car automatically pull over or switch into an autonomous mode could prevent fatalities and injuries.