How High-Precision RADAR Technology is Revolutionizing the Automotive Industry

The latest generation of 24 and 60GHz smart sensors from Socionext are enabling a wide range of transformative in-vehicle systems, increasing safety, security, and convenience for drivers and passengers.

High-precision RADAR technology is becoming a game-changer in the automotive industry.

Take dashcams as an example. As a vehicle owner, you would want your dashcam to record a video of an accident to help establish what happened for insurance and other purposes. Conventional systems, however, do not start recording until the impact occurs (and then usually with a system boot-up delay). The resulting video showing what happens after the collision is not very useful.

Now compare the above with a next-generation dashcam system powered by the latest RF CMOS smart sensor technology from Socionext. A dashcam using RADAR sensors can detect an impending collision and start recording before the vehicles collide, providing a complete video record of what happened before and after the impact.

The same applies to anti-theft systems. An anti-theft system with RADAR can detect and monitor suspicious activities near a vehicle and then activate the dashcam to initiate recording, trigger an alarm, and send real-time alerts to the owner before any active break-in attempt occurs.

In both of the above use cases, Socionext’s RF CMOS sensor technology provides superior features with greater convenience, safety, and security than similar current-generation automotive dashcam and anti-theft systems.

Advanced RADAR technology from Socionext also enables a host of next-gen smart in-cabin features, including the following:

Seat occupancy monitoring – RADAR sensors can identify the location of passengers and check for passenger safety status, including fastening of seatbelts and airbag activation.

Infant/pet detection and fatality prevention – RADAR sensors can monitor vital signs such as heartbeat and respiration, allowing the technology to detect if children or pets are left alone in dangerously hot vehicles. Since RADAR can penetrate soft or hard objects, the detection even works through blankets and carriers.

Driver state monitoring – RADAR sensor can be used to monitor driver’s vital signs and alert them of changes in their heart rate and rhythm, stress levels, fatigue, respiration, and atrial fibrillation.

High-precision touchless operation – RADAR sensors, such as Socionext’s SC1220 RF CMOS devices, offer high-precision 3D detection, allowing drivers to use hand gestures to safely and conveniently operate in-vehicle displays and infotainment systems.

You can check out the demos of several of these RADAR-enhanced automotive applications in the video below.  

If you are interested in learning more about the ways automakers and retailers are using the latest RF CMOS sensor technology to create next-generation vehicle solutions, be sure to check out the article “Radar sensors facilitate new automotive safety applications” on Planet Analog by my colleague Niel Smith.

Socionext 24GHz and 60GHz RADAR sensor lineup

Socionext has extensive engineering expertise in RADAR sensing technology, offering a full range of 24GHz and 60GHz radar sensors. We provide our customers with quality semiconductor products based on comprehensive and differentiated IPs, proven design methodologies, state-of-the-art implementation expertise, and full support. Contact us today to learn more.