In-Car Monitoring

Cisco Systems has created an in-car monitoring system that uses 3D laser scanners to capture the driver’s gestures. Technology has advanced drastically in the past ten years and has continued to grow in every way. 3D laser scanning has been adopted in many fields. As it keeps evolving, more areas will acquire the skills and tools to use this technology.

The background of 3D laser scanning and its development

3D laser scanning was developed in the 1960s but didn’t gain any traction until the 1990s. Researchers used giant cameras to capture details from an object at every angle. It has since evolved into handheld devices that can easily be maneuvered or attached to other purposes to collect data.

Once this device captured the details of an object or scene, it can then be uploaded to the cloud. This information can quickly be sent across the world in minutes or downloaded to an editing system. The particular system that can be paired with 3D laser scanners can also be used to print a replica of the object.

This device can help researchers across the world share historical artifacts. Students can use this equipment as a study aid. Artists can scan anyone and create exact replicas of facial features and poses to create beautiful statues. This technology is now going to be input in cars to make sure drivers are staying safe on the roads.

Companies are now collaborating to create the safest 3D scanner on the market

Cisco Systems has created a 3D laser scanner that uses LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging Systems) to detect a driver’s gestures. This technology uses high power nanosecond optical pulses instead of actual lasers. This means it will not shine on anyone’s face while driving.

This company partnered with Analog Devices Inc. to combine their 3D time of flight technology with Cisco systems LIDAR technology. These pulses can detect gestures from a driver, and someone who is retrieving the information will learn which gestures mean drowsiness, drunk, or under any influence.

“Jungo’s CoDriver monitoring algorithms are used by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to keep their drivers and passengers safe and develop innovative use cases that understand an occupant’s state while in the vehicle.” Says Jungo’s chief executive officer.

This technology was created to see smaller and thinner objects collecting the tiniest details that other systems could skip over, giving it the edge to compete in the booming market. There is no back-end processing, and no other person is needed to edit the image, saving time and tedious work.

3D laser scanners allow people to be identified in the car quickly and efficiently. There will be no guessing who someone was, or where they sat. They will also know if the driver was at fault for any accident or traffic incident. This could save police time and guesswork.

This collaboration creates a world of possibilities within the technology community.

As this technology evolves and is adopted in more fields, the higher quality scanners will start emerging. It will be implemented in our lives in ways we would not usually think of and improve our public safety beyond what anyone thought was possible.