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The AK5818 radar IC from Asahi Kasei Microdevices is unlocking new capabilities in driver and occupant monitoring by enabling contactless, real-time sensing of vital signs using 60 GHz mmWave radar. This technology allows vehicles to monitor heart rate, respiration, and even driver alertness without requiring any wearables, cameras, or physical input—just high-frequency sensing embedded into the cabin.
Designed with safety-critical automotive applications in mind, this IC supports 4 transmit and 4 receive channels for high-resolution FMCW sensing across the 57–64 GHz band. This enables precise detection of small physiological movements such as breathing and heartbeat, which can be tracked continuously in the background while driving.
The AK5818 radar IC is qualified to AEC-Q100 Grade 2 and rated for operation from −40 °C to 105 °C. It meets ISO 26262 ASIL-B functional safety requirements, making it a strong candidate for semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicle systems. With a focus on reliability and safety, it can trigger actions such as slowing the vehicle, issuing alerts, or engaging emergency protocols in response to sudden health-related events.
This radar IC is also suitable for broader applications beyond cars. It enables presence detection and occupant classification in commercial vehicles, industrial machines, and emergency response systems. Since the radar can operate through interior materials like seat fabric or plastic panels, it remains invisible to the user, while maintaining constant situational awareness.
For system designers, the AK5818 radar IC simplifies integration by including key front-end features like PLLs, ADCs, and signal processing paths that interface easily with an external MCU or AI-enabled processor. AKM supports the IC with reference designs and ecosystem tools to accelerate development and testing.
As demand grows for health-aware, privacy-respecting monitoring in automotive and industrial environments, the AK5818 radar IC offers a compact, robust, and safety-certified solution for engineers looking to build smarter systems that can intervene when needed most.