Continental, in collaboration with technology partner trinamiX, has developed an innovative display solution that monitors passengers’ vital parameters in real-time, using an invisible camera and laser projector installed behind an OLED screen. The new technology, called the Invisible Biometrics Sensing Display, was recently honored as a CES Innovation Award Honoree and will be showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, January 7-10, 2025.
The Invisible Biometrics Sensing Display offers several features aimed at enhancing vehicle safety and comfort. It uses a 1.5 MP near-infrared camera and an eye-safe laser dot projector embedded behind the high-resolution OLED screen. This setup allows for the contactless monitoring of vital parameters, including heart rate, and helps identify potential medical emergencies or stress-related conditions in the driver’s seat. Additionally, the system features 3D distance mapping, optimizing airbag deployment and ensuring proper seat belt fastening.
Developed with trinamiX, a leader in biometric imaging, the display also provides data on the driver’s distance to the cockpit and material classification, which helps verify seat belt usage. According to Wilfried Hermes, Director of Consumer Electronics North America and Europe at trinamiX, this technology allows for monitoring vital signs without physical interaction, using a single hardware module.
Pavel Prouza, head of the User Experience (UX) business area at Continental, emphasized that this development integrates pioneering technologies to enhance display functionality and offer added value to automotive design. The system’s invisible integration of sensor systems offers new possibilities for vehicle interior design while promoting user acceptance.
Continental will present this and other technologies at a private exhibit in Central Plaza at CES 2025, highlighting its ongoing innovations in vehicle technology.