STMicroelectronics and Smart Eye demonstrate 1-LED driver-monitoring system

Smart Eye, specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) to build technology that supports and predicts human behavior, and STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor provider, announced the cooperative development of a high-sensitivity, 1-LED driver-monitoring system (DMS).

STMicrocontroller’s new automotive-grade 1.5-megapixel backside illuminated global shutter image sensor.

Combining Smart Eye’s expertise in driver-monitoring algorithms and optical system design with ST’s high-sensitivity automotive-grade global-shutter VB56G4A imager, the new DMS reduces power consumption and system cost by using only one illumination LED. Current systems typically require two or more LEDs to adequately illuminate the driver.

“The excellent performance and high sensitivity of ST’s automotive-grade global-shutter imaging sensor is an excellent match for Smart Eye’s industry-proven driver-monitoring algorithms,” shared Eric Aussedat, executive VP, Imaging Sub-Group GM, STMicroelectronics. “In developing a sensor with 2.6µm pixel size and double the quantum efficiency of previous-generation sensors, we’ve simplified DMS development, reduced its power consumption, and lowered costs without compromising performance.”

The high-sensitivity DMS is demonstrated at this week’s AutoSens and InCabin exhibitions in Brussels.

“Building on our two decades of automotive experience proven by nearly 100 design wins from leading car manufacturers, we’ve worked with ST to combine our technology with ST’s advanced image sensor to eliminate at least half of the expensive LEDs/lenses,” said Martin Krantz, CEO and founder of Smart Eye. “Even with this smaller and more economical design, we’ve created an exceptional no-compromise DMS demonstrator that shows how automakers can significantly improve road safety with reduced cost of ownership. We are happy to support our partners and customers with our HW and SW reference design and expertise for flawless product integration.”

The high-sensitivity DMS developed by Smart Eye and ST is being unveiled and demonstrated at the ST stand (#21) at AutoSens on September 12-14 at the Autoworld Museum in Brussels and in the same location at InCabin on September 15.