Toyota TCNA unveils 'cabin awareness' concept tech that detects stranded occupants

Toyota Connected North America (TCNA), Toyota's independent software and innovation center, today announced the launch of its Cabin Awareness concept technology.The technology uses millimeter-wave and high-resolution 4D imaging radar to detect occupants (including pets) stranded in the vehicle.

Image credit: Toyota

The cabin awareness concept technology uses a unique way to detect occupants in the vehicle, using a 4D imaging radar sensor mounted above the vehicle's roof to detect the presence of life in the vehicle even after the driver has left.

Specifically, the cabin awareness concept technology is able to sense tiny movements, such as the heartbeat, movement and breathing of occupants in three rows of seats, in the cargo area and in the foot space.The technology also classifies all occupants based on size, posture and position to support advanced safety applications.The platform provides powerful sensing even if the occupant is covered with a blanket and passersby may not see the occupant.No other technology on the market offers such sensing, such as weight sensors prone to false alarms and false detections, cameras limited by blind spots, or other radar systems with limited occupant detection range.

practical testing

While cabin awareness is currently a concept, Toyota's partner May Mobility has conducted practical trials to test its capabilities.May Mobility is a Michigan-based autonomous vehicle company.The company is testing the technology with its Toyota Sienna AutonoMaaS (autonomous mobility-as-a-service) minivan fleet in Michigan, and soon in public AV deployments in Arlington, Texas and Ann Arbor, Michigan, while Additional deployments will roll out by the end of 2022.Recently, May Mobility announced that it would modify some of its fleet to be ADA compliant and to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs.

In the future, self-driving shuttles may also alert parents when children arrive at their destination.If the shuttle bus reaches the destination and senses that someone is still in the bus, it may delay going to the next stop.

Simon Roberts, TCNA's managing engineer responsible for the development process, said: "The main differentiators of the system are the improved resolution and accuracy, the range of functions offered by the full cabin inspection and cabin awareness concept technology. With high sensor accuracy, we will design the car Cabin awareness concept designed to reduce false positives."

Applying Technology to Alert Drivers

As it is currently designed, the Toyota Cabin Awareness Concept technology provides a series of warnings to remind the driver (and possibly passers-by) to check the rear of the vehicle if a creature is detected.First, the warning light on the instrument panel will signal; then the horn will sound and the emergency light will flash.Owners will also be notified by the Toyota app and text message on their phone after all early alerts.

If programmed, the cabin awareness concept technology can even send alerts via smart home devices or text messages to designated emergency contacts designated by the primary user.Not only that, but the technology uses Toyota's Safety Connect® emergency assistance system to connect first responders with integrated SOS vehicle functionality.

The team is also continuously exploring other notification alerts, such as the combination of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication and smart infrastructure retail signage, to further expand the scope of this alert.