Thermal Sense

Automobile Interface for Tick Design Labs (Shanghai)

As the demand for in car cameras grows to monitor drivers and enhance assisted driving systems, Thermal Sense introduces an innovative solution. Instead of using traditional cameras, it employs low resolution thermal sensors that capture heat signatures, effectively safeguarding privacy. This approach enables the detection of drowsiness, distractions, and the presence of children through advanced machine learning, all while maintaining data level privacy. By emphasizing both safety and privacy, Thermal Sense establishes a new standard in the industry.

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Thermal Sense by Zeyuan Zhang

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Automobile Interface by Zeyuan Zhang

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Zeyuan Zhang Thermal Sense

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Zeyuan Zhang Automobile Interface

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Unique Properties

With the increasing requirement for in-car cameras to monitor drivers and support assisted driving systems, Thermal Sense offers a groundbreaking alternative. It replaces traditional cameras with low-resolution thermal sensors, capturing only heat signatures to eliminate privacy risks. This system ensures data-level privacy while detecting drowsiness, distractions, and child presence using advanced machine learning. By prioritizing safety and privacy, Thermal Sense sets a new benchmark.

Tags

thermal imaging, privacy monitoring, driver analysis, cabin safety, thermal sensors, non-invasive, AI

Production Technology

Thermal Sense integrates a thermal sensor at the rearview mirror for wide-angle cabin coverage. Sourced with customized original equipment manufacturer specifications, the sensor detects minute thermal variations, ensuring high sensitivity for monitoring physiological parameters. Advanced convolutional neural network process thermal data, analyzing key indicators like eye closure rates and head movements. A robust real-time pipeline enhances image quality, extracts features, and provides immediate safety alerts.

Design Challenge

Limited availability of high-quality, low-cost thermal sensors and real-time processing technology were overcome through iterative testing and collaboration with original equipment manufactures and artificial intelligence experts.

Project Duration

The project commenced in January 2023 in Shanghai, China, and was completed in October 2024. Research, development, and testing phases were conducted in collaboration with leading automotive technology innovation labs.

Operation Flow

Thermal Sense operates seamlessly in the background, using a thermal sensor to monitor the cabin without capturing identifiable images. Installed on the rearview mirror, it detects heat patterns to identify driver drowsiness, distractions, or child presence. The system provides real-time alerts, ensuring safety without compromising privacy. Its unobtrusive design and precise detection deliver reliable results, creating a safer and more privacy-conscious driving experience.

Research

Using an in-between method, we cross-compared the thermal sensor approach with traditional cameras for measuring driver behavior. Controlled experiments with 50 participants assessed drowsiness and distractions. Results showed no significant performance difference between the two methods. This demonstrates that the thermal approach is as effective as cameras while eliminating privacy concerns, making it a superior, privacy-conscious solution.

Inspiration

Inspired by advancements in thermal imaging and the need for privacy-focused solutions, Thermal Sense addresses mandatory driver monitoring requirements without compromising identity. Research shows the efficacy of thermal sensors in detecting behavior and ensuring safety. By eliminating human-identifiable color images, it prioritizes privacy while monitoring driver attention, passenger activity, and child presence.

Image Credits

All Image: Zeyuan Zhang

Project Overview

Thermal Sense Automobile Interface has been a Bronze winner in the Interface, Interaction and User Experience Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Zeyuan Zhang was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Thermal Sense Automobile Interface.

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