In connected car face imaging recognizes driver and hand signals for private driving with Mobii

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speakdestinationMobile Interior Imaging, or Project Mobii is a joint project from Ford and Intel that could stop car thieves and prevent accidents. The cameras can see gestures to control car functions and smartphone connections.  They can be programmed to keep private information such as contacts private.

Mobii research tested new applications for interior cameras, including driver authentication for improved privacy controls that identify different drivers and automatically adjust features based on an individual’s preferences.
The camera recognizes the driver through facial recognition and the in-car experience is then personalized to display information specific to that driver, such as calendar, music and contacts.  It will lockout drivers not authorized such as valet parkers.
If Project Mobii does not recognize the driver, a photo is sent to the car owner’s smartphone. The owner can then set permissions and features that should be enabled or disabled. Say the driver is teenager, the parent can set restrictions to require safety belt use and to limit speed, audio volume or mobile phone use while driving.

The interior camera can be activated with an Intel smartphone.  The owner can then check if she left the shopping bag in the back seat, if there is someone in the car who should not be.

The system can also see if the driver or passenger is using the infotainment system. It will prompt the driver to speak commands when it knows” who is driving.  A combination of natural gestures and voice commands can simplify such tasks as turning the heat up and down, or opening and closing a sunroof while driving.  Pointing to the sun roof opens it.  Flapping like windshield wipers could turn them on or off. The test project suggests what kinds of features will be seen in future Ford vehicles.