In-cabin sensing technologies are reshaping the automotive landscape, driven by the need for enhanced safety, regulatory compliance, and personalised user experiences. In 2025, Tesla, Seeing Machines, and LG Electronics introduced groundbreaking innovations in this space, leveraging radar, 3D cameras, and AI to redefine vehicle interiors.
This article provides an overview of Tesla’s in-cabin radar activation, Seeing Machines’ 3D camera technology, and LG’s AI-powered solution. It explores their implications for safety, cost, and market trends, supported by industry projections.
IDTechEx’s report “In-Cabin Sensing 2025-2035: Technologies, Opportunities, and Markets” includes more details of relevant technologies, such as radar, 3d cameras, and AI.
Tesla’s In-Cabin Radar Activation
In February 2025, Tesla activated its in-cabin radar in the Model Y via software update 2025.2.6. This radar, powered by Texas Instruments’ AWR6843 chip, is a 60-64 GHz millimetre-wave radar positioned above the passenger dome light. It enhances first-row cabin sensing and improves passenger classification by detecting size, position, and movement.
This enables dynamic airbag deployment and precise seatbelt reminders, replacing unreliable seat sensors. The radar’s ability to detect vital signs, such as heart rate and breathing, supports Tesla’s upcoming “Child Left Alone Detection” feature, expected in Q3 2025, which restricts vehicle controls, activates HVAC, and alerts owners or emergency services if a child is detected.
Tesla’s strategy of retrofitting existing hardware, installed in Model Ys since 2022, demonstrates cost efficiency, reducing the need for new components. This aligns with Tesla’s broader vision of software-defined vehicles, where over-the-air updates unlock dormant hardware capabilities.
Although the specific cost of in-cabin radar hardware is not disclosed, IDTechEx estimates that it costs around US$30-40 per module, and with volume adoption, it will decrease to US$20. IDTechEx’s research “In-Cabin Sensing 2025-2035: Technologies, Opportunities, and Markets” provides a more detailed cost breakdown of radar modules.
Seeing Machines’ 3DCamera Innovation
In April 2025, in collaboration with Airy3D, Seeing Machines launched a 3D camera technology for in-cabin monitoring, integrating 5MP RGBIR 2D and 3D sensing in a single module. Using Airy3D’s DepthIQ™ technology, the system employs a diffractive optical element on a 2D sensor, delivering cost-effective 3D vision.
This supports precision eye-tracking and occupant monitoring across the cabin, enabling integration with passive safety systems like airbags and seatbelts. The technology addresses future safety standards, such as Euro NCAP’s 2025 requirements, which incentivise 3D sensing for child presence detection. The cost is one of the historic barriers hindering the adoption of 3D cameras.
This innovation, however, makes 3D sensing accessible beyond premium vehicles, potentially increasing adoption in mid-range models. However, camera-based systems face privacy challenges, requiring robust measures like face-blurring or onboard processing. Additionally, their reliance on complex algorithms demands significant computational resources, posing integration challenges for smaller OEMs.
IDTechEx forecasts that the integration of AI, radar, and 3D cameras will accelerate, not only because of the regulatory requirements such as Euro NCAP’s 2025 protocols, but also because leading players want to use their in-cabin hardware and features to differentiate themselves from others.
Tesla’s radar adoption, Seeing Machines’ cost-effective 3D cameras, and many other players’ (e.g., LG, etc.) similar strategies align with this trajectory, but each faces unique hurdles. IDTechEx’s “In-Cabin Sensing 2025-2035: Technologies, Opportunities, and Markets” details technical and commercial barriers.
Conclusion
Tesla and Seeing Machines are pushing the boundaries of in-cabin sensing, each addressing distinct aspects of safety, cost, and user experience. Tesla’s radar activation exemplifies cost-effective innovation, and Seeing Machines’ 3D camera democratises advanced sensing.
As the in-cabin hardware market approaches around US$6 billion by 2035, IDTechEx believes that OEMs and component suppliers have significant opportunities to monetise this forthcoming trend. The synergy of radar, 3D vision, and AI will likely define the next generation of intelligent vehicles, ensuring safer and more personalised driving experiences.