Seeing Machines Ltd (AIM:SEE, OTC:SEEMF) and OMNIVISION announced a new optimised driver monitoring system (DMS) and occupant monitoring system (OMS) solution, which can be used in space-constrained automotive integrations, such as the rear view mirror.
The first of its kind, the OAX4600 is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that combines OMNIVISION’s image signal processor (ISP) with Seeing Machines' Occula neural processing unit (NPU), the companies said in a statement.
The new solution, which will be released in the second half of this year, will provide automotive original equipment makers (OEMs) with a cost-effective and highly efficient DMS/OMS, they added.
"OMNIVISION has been working with Seeing Machines for more than five years now and was the first to execute a silicon license for the Occula NPU in 2021. Today, we are unveiling our unique ASIC implementation, the OAX4600, featuring an integrated ISP and NPU, capable of higher resolution processing of up to 5 megapixels (MP)," said Andy Hanvey, director of automotive marketing at OMNIVISION.
"We will be releasing the combined solution which is ideal for space-constrained automotive integrations, such as in rear view mirror, in the second half of this year to deliver improved efficiency and the lowest power to automotive OEMs."
Colin Barnden, principal analyst at Semicast Research said the rear-view mirror is the critical integration point for automotive OEMs to add occupant monitoring that adheres to the Euro NCAP roadmap for distracted, drowsy and impaired driving detection.
"However, the mirror is both space and power constrained, demanding a highly-optimized imaging signal chain to meet the conflicting needs of high-performance vision processing with very low power consumption. Together the OX05B1S sensor and OAX4600 processor represent the interior sensing equivalent of an ace high royal flush, combining 5MP resolution with best-in-class image processing and low power consumption,” he said.
“It isn't obvious how this solution could be bettered on a performance-per-watt basis and looks positioned to be extremely successful in the automotive OEM nominations for occupant monitoring to be decided throughout this year and next."
Nick DiFiore, senior vice president and general manager of automotive at Seeing Machines, added: "Pairing Seeing Machines' Occula NPU, and expert knowledge of the associated algorithms and optical space, with OMNIVISION's market leading imaging solutions, the OAX4600 brings the first truly optimized DMS/OMS standalone SoC processing solution."
Seeing Machines shares were 5.19% higher at 10.94p in early afternoon trade.