Top 4 Takeaways from InCabin USA 2024

I had an excellent experience this year at InCabin USA, a standout event for automotive industry experts. Held in vibrant “Motor City” Detroit, the conference was magnificent, surpassing the previous year in size and scope. Even more special was its co-location with the AutoSens conference, bringing together professionals from all corners of the automotive sensing industry united in their interest in in-cabin safety, comfort, and productivity solutions. 

A standout event for automotive industry experts

The event was an energetic hub of diverse activities, including thought-provoking talks, interactive workshops, state-of-the-art technology exhibitions, and captivating demonstrations. Discussions spanned a wide range of topics such as safety legislation, camera technology, AI, deep learning, HMI and user experience, sensor fusion, and behavior and health monitoring. The collection of topics provided a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in automotive technology and illuminated emerging industry trends, which I found thoroughly engaging and informative.

The excitement of automotive advancements

My attendance at InCabin was exciting, both professionally and personally. Car technology has captivated me since my teenage years. In fact, one of my first jobs was installing car stereos and entertainment equipment. My fascination with the latest technology has always influenced my car choice. Now, as a mother, it’s still important, but the best safety features are now the priority.

Thanks to newer regulations such as Euro NCAP and the EU General Safety Regulation, Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) and Occupant Monitoring Systems (OMS) will be common in newer makes and models in some parts of the world. The clear trend toward increased adoption of DMS and OMS globally is great news because future cars will automatically include these powerful lifesaving and accident-reducing features. This new sensing technology opens the door for more features and capabilities, allowing car manufacturers to differentiate from competitors and influence my future car purchases.

A closer look at Tobii's demo car 

I had a fantastic time exploring all the latest tech firsthand. However, the most enjoyable moments happened while seated in the back seat of the Tobii demo car. I observed OEMs, Tier 1s, and other industry partners as they took turns sitting in the driver and passenger seats of our BMW X5 demo car. I was thrilled to hear their reactions as they experienced our demo and, in some cases, tried their best to disrupt the system but failed. The positive feedback about performance, the ease of grasping the concepts we presented, and the perceived benefits of the features we demonstrated for the auto industry were genuinely encouraging. 

The Virtual Camera conference calling feature stood out from the safety and sensing features. With the increasing demand for a hybrid work environment, constant connectivity is essential, and video conferencing has become a common activity in today’s world. Some car brands already have video calling apps integrated into their infotainment centers, which is more convenient and safer than using a phone for video calls. However, the Tobii demo showed more than just a video conference app.  Users can customize everything from the background to relighting their face and even slimming and smoothing their appearance for a more professional and distraction-free presentation. What was impressive to those who tried it was how realistic it looked. Using highly sophisticated imaging technology, it looked as good or better than top computer-based video conferencing apps. 

Though it may seem like a modest feature, expanding traditional hands-free audio calling to include video calling makes perfect sense when considering the natural evolution of communication technology. 

What excites me about the future?

The idea of monitoring drivers’ well-being and vital signs is fascinating. It can improve road safety by offering essential information about a driver's condition. Tobii's proven technology, which has been used for this purpose in research and clinical settings for years, is a logical choice to integrate into vehicles, considering the significant amount of time people spend driving. Moreover, Europe and the United States actively pursue technology to identify driver impairment effectively. The Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act H.R. 3684 includes provisions for advanced technology to prevent drunk and impaired driving by passively monitoring the driver’s performance and restricting operation if impairment is detected.

Additionally, EURO NCAP Vision 2030 seeks to expand the detection of driving under the influence and sudden sickness through advanced vision and biometric sensors, thereby introducing more stringent requirements for risk mitigation functions.

I’m also excited by the possibilities of using camera sensor technology to create personal profiles. Imagine your car recognizing you and giving a warm welcome by adjusting the seat and mirrors for your comfort. Furthermore, your car understands your driving habits and can perform better for you. It knows how to share information and guidance in ways that work best for you, almost like having a co-driver. Lastly, I’m really looking forward to seeing how body pose estimation and position detection can help improve airbag safety!

All this technology sounds impressive, but it's only great if it works seamlessly without annoyances. Car companies face the enormous challenge of developing cars and systems that add value without detracting from the experience or the brand or, worst of all, causing accidents. Tobii prioritizes building reliable core signals and understands that unreliable signals can be frustrating and may even compel car owners to disable the system. The system must be rock solid and utterly dependable where safety is concerned.

Watch the video below to hear Bogdan Petcu, Director of Tech Product Management, and Steve Swartz, VP of Sales America, give us an overview of Tobii Autosense, the products within it's full portfolio, why manufacturers should integrate interior sensing into their vehicles, and insight into what's next for Tobii.