Gentex is a leading supplier of mirror-based displays that integrate cameras and sensors into a comprehensive safety system. At CES 2025, they showcased how these technologies address upcoming EU safety regulations.
Regulatory Context
Starting in 2026, all cars sold in the EU must include:
- Driver identification
- Safety measures such as:
- Drowsiness detection
- Phone usage monitoring
- Head nodding or yawning detection
For Level 2+ Automated Driving Systems (ADS), drivers must remain ready to take control at any time. Monitoring includes:
- Driver activity
- Eyes on the road
- Hands on the wheel
Gentex Solutions
- Mirror-integrated camera system with:
- RGB camera
- IR dot projector for 3D detection
- Driver Monitoring System (DMS):
- Head pose and facial state recognition
- Distraction and drowsiness measurement
Additional Features
- Alcohol impairment study: Collected data on driver behavior under intoxication for safety modeling.
- Occupant presence detection:
- Uses IR dot projector to track motion markers
- Detects seat movement (requires line of sight)
- Seat belt detection:
- Object recognition identifies improper seat belt positioning
- 3D facial modeling:
- Displays vectors and gaze angles
- Iris recognition & object detection:
- Alerts if items (e.g., phone) are left behind
- Particulate sensing:
- Detects smoking in vehicles—important for taxis and autonomous fleets
- Entertainment monitoring:
- Prevents drivers from watching video content while driving
Compliance & OEM Engagement
- Gentex provides a point-based compliance system, awarding full certification at 75% or more of criteria met.
- Actively collaborating with multiple OEMs to integrate these solutions flexibly.
Summary:
Gentex is advancing automotive safety with integrated cameras, sensors, and AI-driven monitoring to meet and exceed upcoming EU regulations.