Murata and Smart Eye demonstrate camera-radar sensor fusion for advanced in-cabin sensing

• Connectivity Modules

Hoofddorp, Netherlands, 15th September 2026

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd and Smart Eye are collaborating to demonstrate how camera-radar sensor fusion can create a more complete picture of the vehicle interior. The demonstration combines Murata’s expertise in miniaturisation, flexible RF device integration, and automotive-grade 60 GHz radar technology with Smart Eye’s AI-powered interior sensing software for advanced Driver Monitoring Systems, Occupant Monitoring Systems and Child Presence Detection.

Vehicles already incorporate cameras located in the overhead console or interior rear-view mirror and are increasingly adopting 60 GHz radar for child presence detection. Cameras provide detailed visual information about occupant position, posture and behaviour. Radar, on the other hand, can detect occupants in darkness, through clothing and blankets, and when parts of the body are obscured, while also providing depth information. Together, these complementary sensing modalities will reduce dependence on dedicated occupancy sensors such as weight mats or capacitive systems, simplifying vehicle integration while lowering system complexity and potentially reducing bill-of-materials (BOM) costs.

More accurate information about occupant position and posture also supports adaptive restraint systems, including optimising airbag deployment and seatbelt control, while reliable occupancy classification reduces unnecessary warnings and improves child presence detection. As sensing capability develops, the same hardware platform also provides a foundation for additional software-enabled functions such as gesture recognition and vital sign monitoring.

“Vehicle interiors are evolving from isolated sensing functions towards a holistic understanding of the cabin environment,” says Nozomu Kijiya, Product Manager, Murata Electronics Europe. “By making better use of radar and camera technologies already being integrated into vehicles, manufacturers can improve in-cabin sensing while minimising the impact on interior design and simplifying system integration.”

“The value of multi modal sensor fusion is not simply having more sensors but instead utilising existing sensors turning them into a coherent understanding of what is going on inside the vehicle,” said Henrik Lind, Chief Research Officer at Smart Eye. “By combining the visual context provided by cameras with radar data in situations where visibility is limited, we can help manufacturers address today’s safety use cases while giving them a common hardware foundation for adding new interior sensing functions through software over time supporting use cases from autonomous driving to restraint systems.”

Murata and Smart Eye are inviting automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to collaborate on the development of scalable interior sensing systems. The companies will demonstrate the technology at InCabin/AutoSens, where visitors will be able to see how combining existing camera and radar technologies with AI-based sensing software can enhance occupant monitoring capabilities while supporting future software-defined vehicle architectures.

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To view the In-Cabin Sensing technology page, please visit here.

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Note: This is a concept product.
Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.

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