Eyeris Technologies, OMNIVISION, and Leopard Imaging have jointly announced the development of a new production reference design aimed at enhancing vehicle safety and comfort. This pioneering development is the automotive industry's first to address the need for depth-aware in-cabin sensing data.

The novel AI-based depth-aware driver and occupant monitoring system is set to be demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Eyeris will also showcase its latest groundbreaking technology by appointment only during CES, inside its demonstration vehicle and at select automotive tier-one partner locations.

The reference design produced by this partnership integrates Eyeris's advanced monocular three-dimensional (3D) sensing AI software algorithm into Leopard Imaging's 5-megapixel (MP) backside illuminated (BSI) global shutter (GS) camera. This camera uses OMNIVISION's OX05B image sensor and OAX4600 image signal processor (ISP) to address the current gap in the automotive industry for depth-aware in-cabin sensing data.

This system's innovative AI technology allows any 2D image sensor, including the latest RGB-IR sensors, to provide valuable depth-aware whole-cabin sensing. This advanced production reference design, which utilises OMNIVISION's OX05B 5MP RGB-IR image sensor and OAX4600 ISP to process Eyeris's monocular 3D sensing AI data alongside Leopard Imaging's camera design-house capabilities, will allow auto manufacturers and tier-ones to achieve a faster time-to-market at reduced costs with low integration risk.

Emphasising the significance of this joint endeavour, Modar Alaoui, Founder and CEO of Eyeris, said, "Our partnership with OMNIVISION and Leopard Imaging offers automotive customers the industry's most advanced 3D software along with a hardware production reference design kit for in-cabin sensing."

"It is a true turn-key solution that's readily available, with a unique combination of AI-based depth-aware DMS and OMS data, processed on OMNIVISION's RGB-IR image sensor and ISP platform," said Modar Alaoui.

Paul Wu, Staff Marketing Manager at OMNIVISION, also commented, "OMNIVISION's ISP processing technology and dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) ensure robust, latency-free image processing, and our OX05B sensor offers the best performance in extremely low light conditions."

Cliff Cheng, the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Leopard Imaging, expressed excitement about collaborating with Eyeris and OMNIVISION on an advanced production reference design for in-cabin monocular 3D sensing AI. He emphasised Leopard Imaging's expertise in camera design and manufacturing, as well as its advanced imaging solutions. Cheng sees this collaboration as a demonstration of their commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation for the future of automotive in-cabin sensing.

Cliff Cheng said, "We are delighted to work with Eyeris and OMNIVISION on this advanced production reference design for in-cabin monocular 3D sensing AI. Our camera design and manufacturing experience combined with our advanced imaging solutions are a testament to our commitment to pushing innovation boundaries for the future of automotive in-cabin sensing."