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With People
A Safer Drive, for All: High Performance In-Cabin Camera Module of LG Innotek
▲ (Top left to right) Young Ki Noh, Seungpil Choi, Jungho Shin, Kyeongmok Yoon, Byeonghak JeongAs we transition
into the era of autonomous driving, vehicle technology is evolving at an
unprecedented pace. Cars are no longer just means of transportation; they are
becoming "smart spaces" capable of sensing and responding to the
condition of passengers. Central to this evolution is the development of the
“In-Cabin Camera,” a cutting-edge technology that is transforming the way
vehicles interact with drivers and passengers.In response to
this shift, LG Innotek is proud to unveil its High-Performance In-Cabin
Camera Module, featuring industry-leading resolution and a wide field of
view. We sat down with the Development Team at LG Innotek to explore the
challenges, innovations, and teamwork behind this game-changing technology. More than just a camera — this high-performance in-cabin
module is engineered to be your trusted safety partner on the road. But what
sets it apart? Let’s take a closer look Q. What
exactly is an In-Cabin Camera?The term
"In-Cabin" refers to the interior of a vehicle. An In-Cabin Camera
is installed inside the car to monitor the passengers' conditions and provide
the vehicle with the information needed to respond appropriately. With the
transition to autonomous driving, the importance of Driver Monitoring
Systems (DMS) to monitor the driver’s state, as well as Occupant
Monitoring Systems (OMS) to detect passengers, has grown significantly. The
role of In-Cabin Cameras is expanding, enabling features like video calls and
entertainment, offering a richer in-car experience.
▲
Driver Monitoring System (DMS) Demo Q. Why is
the In-Cabin Camera gaining attention?Currently, in-cabin cameras are
primarily found in high-end vehicles, but they are expected to become a
standard feature in all cars within the next few years. This shift is largely
driven by NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) safety regulations. NCAP
evaluates vehicle safety by conducting crash tests under various conditions and
assigning safety ratings based on the results.
Recently, in-vehicle sensing
technologies that help prevent injuries caused by airbags deploying within just
0.05 seconds during a collision have emerged as important evaluation factors. In line with this, Europe will require DMS and OMS as part of
NCAP ratings starting in 2026. This regulatory shift underscores the
increasing importance of in-cabin cameras in enhancing vehicle safety. Q.
What makes LG Innotek’s High-Performance In-Cabin Camera Module stand out in
the market?One of its biggest strengths is the 5-megapixel
RGB-IR dual sensor. Traditional in-cabin cameras were primarily designed to
monitor the driver, meaning they had a short range and a relatively low
resolution of around 1 megapixel. However, as DMS and OMS become increasingly important, there is a growing need
for cameras that can accurately
identify the driver and provide a wider field of view to monitor passengers as
well. To address this, LG Innotek enhanced
the camera’s resolution to 5 megapixels—five times higher than previous
models—while maintaining a compact size that allows for flexible installation
throughout the vehicle interior. A major differentiator is its HDR* support,
which enables clear imaging in both low-light and high-brightness settings,
such as under direct sunlight, effectively minimizing overexposure or shadowing
to ensure consistent performance in diverse lighting conditions.Furthermore,
the camera is capable of detecting both visible (RGB) and infrared (IR) light,
providing color and monochrome imaging in one device. The IR sensor allows for sharp
image capture even in dark environments, and the grayscale output can also
support machine learning applications.
*
High Dynamic Range (HDR): A technology that enhances image quality by expanding
the contrast between the brightest and darkest areas of a scene. Another key feature of LG Innotek’s high-performance in-cabin camera
module is its exceptional
wide-angle technology. With a 143˚
horizontal field of view—more than double that of conventional models — this
camera can effectively monitor not only the front seats but also the second row, ensuring comprehensive
occupant detection.
More
importantly, most traditional in-cabin
cameras were designed for either DMS or OMS, meaning multiple cameras
were required to support various functions. However, LG Innotek’s advanced module consolidates these capabilities into a
single camera, making it a game-changer
in the industry by enhancing
functionality while reducing the number of cameras needed. Q. In
addition to optical technology, we heard that a special manufacturing process
was applied. Can you explain this in detail?LG Innotek’s high-performance in-cabin
camera module utilizes wedge bonding instead of the conventional ball
bonding method to connect the sensor to the circuit board.
Wedge
bonding involves pressing the wire onto
the connection point to secure it, whereas ball bonding melts the tip of a gold wire using
heat to form a small ball before attachment. The key difference lies in the
bonding technique—wedge bonding uses
ultrasonic energy to flatten and secure the wire, resulting in a more
compact and efficient connection. The reason for applying wedge bonding to the high-performance
in-cabin camera module was due to the complex
structure of the PCB, which had multiple components on the back, making heat-based bonding methods unfeasible.
As a result, the team sought an alternative non-heating bonding technique, and wedge bonding emerged as the
ideal solution.
This method also allowed for a more compact camera design. Since visibility can be a concern for passengers,
minimizing the camera’s size was a key priority. Thanks to wedge bonding, LG
Innotek’s high-performance in-cabin
camera module has been reduced in size by up to 15% compared to previous
models.However,
the process of applying the wedge
bonding method was not without its challenges. Typically, wedge bonding is used in larger components like batteries and
power modules. Adapting this technique for a compact in-cabin camera required an extremely precise, micrometer-level process. Since the sensor is
both small and highly sensitive, the bonding process often led to inconsistent
performance, making it a difficult task to perfect. There
were times when the setbacks were so frequent, and I couldn’t help but think, “This
is exactly why no one uses wedge bonding for cameras.” I was close
to giving up. But every time I felt discouraged, my team stepped in with
unwavering support, encouragement, and innovative ideas. Their constant
collaboration helped us overcome each challenge, and together, we successfully
developed the product. Q. It
seems that teamwork was key to overcoming challenges and achieving success.
Could you tell us more about the team?
Our team focuses on developing sensing
camera modules that serve as the "eyes" for mobility. The team was
formed with the goal of applying LG Innotek’s cutting-edge mobile optical
technology to the automotive sector, bringing advanced technologies to
vehicles. Building on LG Innotek’s world-class proprietary optical technology,
we continue to develop high-value-added products such as high-performance
in-cabin camera modules. Our aim is to deliver differentiated customer value
and accelerate our lead in the market.
Q. What is the team culture and working style of the team?Our team values a flexible
and collaborative work
environment. We encourage everyone, regardless of rank or experience, to share
ideas and respect one another’s perspectives. This open culture fosters
creativity and allows us to solve challenges more efficiently.
Additionally, to foster organic
connections and expand technology, we encourage team members to take on
individual challenges outside of our collaborative development tasks. This
approach has led to some great ideas that resulted in successful outcomes. For
instance, our team member Young Ki once showcased a prototype at CES 2025,
which originated from his own idea. The prototype, called the "Versatile
Module," integrates the RGB-IR camera technology developed by our team
with a 3D sensing module from another team. The reaction from potential clients
at the event was extremely positive, leading to follow-up meetings and the
possibility of future projects. Q. How do you think
LG Innotek’s high-performance in-cabin camera module addresses customer
aspirations?Seungpil Choi:
I believe this product provides the most advanced and professional technology
to help bring our customers' visions to life. It consolidates what used to
require multiple cameras into a single module, offering benefits in both cost
and space efficiency while enabling the development of diverse applications
that our customers desire.Jungho Shin:
Similarly, I would point out the product’s compact design and cost-efficiency,
which enhance its versatility and scalability.Young Ki Noh:
From a user’s perspective, this product fulfills the aspiration of always
ensuring safety while driving.Kyeongmok Yoon: The concept of a vehicle
understanding and taking care of my condition once felt like something out of
science fiction, but we are progressively turning it into reality.Byeonghak
Jeong: In the future, perhaps the vehicle
could continuously learn from the monitoring data and evolve into a
personalized car Q. What are the
aspirations you hope to achieve in the future?Seungpil Choi:
I want to introduce an irreplaceable camera to the market. For example, even
smartphone cameras, just 3-4 years ago, couldn’t match the quality of what a
human eye could see in terms of zoom or low-light performance. But today,
long-distance shots can be zoomed in, and nighttime photos are much brighter
than what we could ever perceive with our eyes. It’s fulfilling to be part of
the development of such camera performance advancements, and my goal is to
possess unique and unmatched technical expertise in this field.Young Ki Noh:
When designing products, I want to view things from the customer’s perspective,
staying ahead by proactively proposing innovative solutions. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of
automotive system composition, especially in areas related to camera data
processing and vehicle AP solution development.Jungho Shin:
I am continuously developing my expertise in process design and optimization,
while also strengthening my product design skills. In the future, my goal is to
grow into a member who can cover everything from product design to
manufacturing.Kyeongmok Yoon:
When a customer asks, "Can you make this?" I would love to be able to
respond with, "We’ve already done it." This requires predicting the
necessary technologies and carrying out proactive development, which I believe
our team is more than capable of doing.Byeonghak
Jeong: I have a grand dream of seeing the
products we create installed in every vehicle. Ultimately, I hope we become the
industry standard Your
Aspiration, Our Innovation.
LG Innotek's cutting-edge innovation
enables your aspirations to become reality
