Kia Motors unveils emotion-reading driving optimization system at CES

By Park Sae-jin Posted : January 9, 2019, 10:27 Updated : January 9, 2019, 10:27

[Courtesy of Kia Motors]

 

LAS VEGAS -- Unlike many other carmakers which are trying hard to develop self-driving technologies, Kia Motors is more interested in an adaptive emotion-reading driving system to provide an optimized in-vehicle environment by controlling sounds and lighting in real-time.

The real-time emotion adaptive driving (R.E.A.D.) system, unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, reflects Kia's strategy. The system reads and studies biosignals such as facial expressions and heartbeats. It analyzes bio-data and controls an in-vehicle environment such as sound, lighting, vibration and scent to create a personalized space for drivers.

Kia, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor, said the R.E.A.D. System was designed to ensure the joy of driving which Kia thinks is important in future mobility.

Kia's R.E.A.D. System [Courtesy of Kia Motors]


"Consequently, R.E.A.D. System will enable continuous communication between drivers and vehicles through the unspoken language of 'emotional feeling', thereby providing an optimized human senses-oriented space for drivers in real-time, Kia Motors' research and development division head Albert Biermann was quoted as saying in a statement.

To maximize the comfort and driver enjoyment, Kia showcased "V-Touch", the world's first virtual touch-type gesture control technology. The touch technology allows a driver to control numerous features of a car without the need of physically pressing buttons.
 

Kia's V-Touch feature [Courtesy of Kia Motors]

 

The system would accurately track the driver's sightline and fingertip position with a 3D camera and control the audio volume and an air conditioning system while keeping his or her eyes on the road ahead.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 25 percent of fatal car accidents are caused by distracted driving. Drivers are vulnerable to accidents when their sightline moves to a car console to control audio or other features.
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