Press release, 22nd April 2021

IEE is the first sensor supplier to deploy 60-64 GHz radar technology for unattended child detection in North America, with both countries having certified VitaSense  

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took a major leap recently by granting waivers for the use of 57-64 GHz radar technology to help save children facing heatstroke risks when left unattended in a car. The decision came shortly after Innovation, Science and Economic Development of Canada (ISED) granted special authorization to IEE for the same technology.

The VitaSense system for unattended child detection was launched earlier this year in other parts of the world and will be introduced in North America with the arrival of the Genesis GV70 premium SUV in summer 2021.

“Many campaigners have been actively supporting the implementation of life-saving technology. This certification will help prevent tragedies or near-misses related to vehicular heatstroke. VitaSense plays a major role in the prevention mechanism, not only in the U.S., but worldwide, and we at IEE are celebrating the certification grant wholeheartedly. Our global teams worked around the clock for the success of this product. It is a great achievement to help families keep their kids safe,” says Paul Schockmel, CEO of IEE. “We are proud to be the first ones to bring such systems on the automotive market and we look forward to setting a new standard for car child safety.”

IEE’s VitaSense combines in-house sensing expertise with extended research conducted in real environment with universities and medical specialists. “It was important for us to study the physiology of occupants, from new-born babies to adults, to build a product that is able to detect even the slightest breathing movement, thus triggering the warning functions of the vehicle,” says Peter Larsen, Head of Radar Accelerator at IEE. “VitaSense is made for accuracy and reliability, all in a small unit behind the vehicle headliner which respects the car’s interior design. It is great news that the product is introduced in the U.S. and Canada. The journey continues.”

IEE commends ISED, the FCC and their staff for being pro-active in allowing this life-saving technology to enter the automotive market.

Press release, 19th January 2021

We’ve been pioneering the in-cabin automotive sensing solutions industry for almost 30 years, focusing on occupant detection and classification to enhance passenger safety. Today, IEE is ready to address Child Presence Detection and releases VitaSense, a highly accurate radar sensor system capable of detecting the vital signs of a new-born baby and help prevent tragic hot car deaths.  

“VitaSense is the world’s first interior radar sensing solution for Unattended Child Detection (UCD) in vehicles and is likely to become a landmark product for our company,” says Alain Schumacher, Chief Technology Officer at IEE. “Firstly, we identified the problem of children left unattended in vehicles, exposed to heatstroke risk. In the United States alone, 39 children die of vehicular heatstroke on average each year. With our experience in intelligent sensor solutions, we were eager to develop a product capable to “spot” these children, who are frequently sleeping infants, to enable the triggering of saving measures. 

We have conducted extensive research and tests together with universities and medical specialists. We monitored, analyzed and simulated a wealth of data coming from real-life breathing patterns, from new-born babies to adults. Thanks to our know-how, VitaSense has the necessary capabilities to detect children, even when they sleep, and when they lie beneath a blanket. We are very proud of our field work that helped us develop a high-accuracy, reliable sensor which contributes to saving lives.” 

VitaSense is a small sensing unit that can easily be integrated behind the vehicle’s headliner without altering the interior design.  When an unattended child is detected, the vehicle’s alarm and communications systems can alert caretakers or passers-by that a child is still present in the car. Various warnings can be triggered depending on the vehicle’s capabilities: flashing lights, sounds, smart phone messages, etc. As it is based on radar technology, VitaSense is fully respecting your privacy, as no camera is used. 

What makes VitaSense a ground-breaking, one-of-a-kind product is its unique mix of advanced sensing technology with innovative algorithms, in combination with easy implementation for the vehicle manufacturer. Fatal in-vehicle heatstroke accidents involving children is a global issue which has lately been receiving increasing attention. 

“With Euro NCAP incentives starting 2023 as well as the US Hot Cars Act on the political agenda, aiming at heatstroke prevention for Unattended Children, we know that VitaSense can become a product of choice for the world’s vehicle manufacturers. This is IEE’s first radar product which is part of a family of future applications,” says Alexander Treis, Business Development Manager at IEE.  

VitaSense is currently in mass production and the Genesis GV70 is the first vehicle equipped with this novel sensing solution as an option. Genesis is a premium brand of the Hyundai Motor Group.