Radar-Based In-Cabin Monitoring for Automotive Safety

In-cabin monitoring systems are becoming integral to automotive safety architectures, particularly as regulations mandate direct sensing technologies for occupant detection. Radar-based solutions are increasingly used to detect presence and movement inside vehicles under varying conditions. In this context, NOVELIC developed its Automotive Cabin Advanced Monitoring (ACAM) system using the HighTec Development Platform for embedded software design and optimization.

Meeting regulatory requirements for occupant detection
Automotive safety frameworks such as Euro NCAP’s 2026 protocol require Child Presence Detection (CPD) systems for top safety ratings. These systems must detect the presence of children up to six years old within 15 seconds of vehicle lock and trigger alerts within another 15 seconds if necessary.

NOVELIC’s ACAM system is designed to comply with these requirements by using radar-based sensing to detect occupant presence and movement, including subtle signals such as breathing. This enables operation in conditions where camera-based systems may be limited, such as low light or occluded environments.

Radar sensing and embedded processing requirements
The ACAM system integrates compact radar hardware with embedded processing software capable of real-time signal analysis. In addition to child presence detection, the system supports functions such as seat occupancy detection and intrusion or proximity alerts.

These applications require continuous processing of radar signals and detection of small movements under strict power and performance constraints. The embedded software must therefore be optimized for both computational efficiency and reliability in safety-critical automotive environments.

Development environment and processor architecture
The embedded software for ACAM was developed using the HighTec Development Platform, including an automotive-grade C and C++ compiler optimized for the Infineon AURIX™ TC3x microcontroller family. This architecture is commonly used in automotive systems requiring functional safety and deterministic performance.

The compiler environment supports modern C++ standards and multi-architecture development, enabling portability across processor platforms and future hardware generations. This flexibility supports long-term maintainability within the automotive data ecosystem as electronic architectures continue to evolve.

Functional safety and code reliability
HighTec compilers are certified according to ISO 26262 up to ASIL-D, the highest automotive safety integrity level. This certification ensures that generated code meets requirements for use in safety-critical systems, including those handling occupant detection and real-time monitoring.

The availability of certified toolchains is relevant for OEMs and suppliers aiming to streamline safety validation processes within the automotive digital supply chain, where tool qualification is part of system-level compliance.

Development efficiency and system integration
The use of a unified development platform, combined with technical support during implementation, contributed to reduced development time and more predictable integration cycles. Open-source-based compiler technologies also reduce onboarding time for engineering teams familiar with standard toolchains and limit vendor lock-in.

As automotive manufacturers expand in-cabin sensing capabilities, platforms such as ACAM demonstrate how radar-based monitoring systems can be integrated into vehicle architectures to meet regulatory requirements while supporting additional features such as occupant classification, driver monitoring, and adaptive vehicle settings.

Edited by Aishwarya Mambet, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.

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