Ficosa, a leading global company dedicated to the research, development, production and marketing of advanced vision, safety and efficiency solutions for the automotive industry, continues to forge ahead in building the mobility of the future. The company has announced its entry into the In-Cabin Monitoring (ICM) segment through various disruptive projects it is developing for Automobile Manufacturers (OEMs) in the premium segment.
In-cabin monitoring is a set of technologies that monitor and analyze activity inside a vehicle in order to improve the safety and comfort of drivers and passengers. Ficosa provides advanced driver monitoring (DMS) and occupant (OMS) control solutions, based on an innovative integrated system of internal sensors, including cameras and radars and a wide range of state-of-the-art technologies and algorithms to process the data. use diversity. of sensors.
These systems allow for a variety of applications, such as monitoring the physical condition of the driver, detecting distraction or drowsiness, warning of possible intrusions into the vehicle, or detecting people without seat belts, including those in the rear seats. Passengers are also included. One of the most relevant applications is the system that allows to detect if a child is left alone and unattended in a vehicle, to activate an alarm that guarantees their well-being. In addition, new functions are being developed, such as modulation of airbag activation force based on users’ height and weight, and on-board entertainment and communication applications.
Javier Pujol, CEO of Ficosa, commented: “At Ficosa we have always been committed to looking forward to the future, and our entry into the in-cabin monitoring market is, as always, a clear example of our vision as a driver of change. By harnessing technological progress and innovation, we are pouring our efforts into a key area for the future of electric, autonomous and connected vehicles, and one that will become a priority for the entire automotive industry globally in the years to come.”
The decision to enter this new market is driven by the company’s innovative and global business, which devotes approximately 8% of its annual revenue to R&D, operates in 15 countries and has a network of exclusive strategic partners around the world. Josep Maria Forcadell, General Director of Technology at Ficosa, said: “This important milestone is the result of years of continued commitment by the company to research and development. With this new portfolio of solutions, we can all look forward to a safer and more secure future for all of us. Will continue to support the technological transformation of the automotive sector while contributing to the creation of efficient mobility.
a growing market
The in-cabin monitoring market is experiencing significant growth, and the sales volume of this segment is expected to exceed EUR 950 million in 2027 in Europe. One of the major factors driving the growth of this sector is the new safety regulatory framework. In recent years, new legislation focused on addressing the safety risks associated with driver fatigue or distraction has been put forward. An example of this is European Regulation 2019/2144, which establishes guidelines for vehicles with the aim of providing a high level of safety and environmental efficiency. As part of this package of measures, vehicles approved from July 2024 as well as those sold after 2026 must include a range of intelligent systems including advanced driver distraction detection.
Advanced safety systems are also a priority for Euro NCAP, the benchmark safety program for the automotive sector at European level, which in its assessment places particular importance on vehicles that have technologies that detect potential driver negligence. allows.
This trend is not exclusive to the European market, and is also part of the agenda of legislators in the United States and major Asian countries.
Thus, for example, in its proposed Moving Forward Act, the United States government highlights the potential of driver monitoring systems to improve road safety and reduce driver distraction.
At the same time, the implementation and integration of smart driver control and passenger monitoring solutions is also an important strategic step to accelerate the advent of autonomous driving, as it will enhance the safety, comfort and entertainment of passengers.
