The aim of the SICHER project is to develop a reliable occupant monitoring system for safe autonomous vehicles. In semi-autonomous private vehicles, the sensor technology is used to determine the driver's stress level and state of attention as well as to detect objects or living beings left behind. The second use case is to monitor the number of passengers and entries and exits from fully autonomous public transportation and to use gesture recognition to enable communication with the vehicle.

The main focus of the project is the development of a high-resolution radar sensor with a highly integrated broadband transceiver in SiGe BICMOS technology. In addition to technology and circuit development, the focus is on the development of AI-based algorithms for object recognition and classification as well as for recording gestures and vital parameters. The TUHH is developing a high-frequency interferometer to record vital parameters for driver monitoring in semi-autonomous private vehicles. The measured vital signs are used to estimate the stress and activity levels of the drivers in order to assess their roadworthiness. In addition, a test concept for the early validation of intermediate results will be developed by utilizing the existing linear stage at the TUHH. This radar test stand can be used to carry out tests for both use cases.

SICHER is one of the four projects in the NovoMotive family, which aims to create technology standards for automotive electronic systems.