Audiovisual Warning Signal Detection for Vehicle Interiors

SensorX is a high-performance measurement system for the reliable detection and recording of visual and acoustic driver warnings inside the vehicle.

It captures warning symbols, colour changes, status changes and acoustic signals precisely and time-synchronously. High-resolution cameras monitor the instrument cluster and other vehicle displays in real time, while the integrated microphone detects audible warning patterns.

Measurement results are available within milliseconds through digital trigger outputs, Ethernet and CAN, enabling straightforward integration into automated vehicle and bench-test environments.

Key Performance Data

Why SensorX?

Objective validation of driver warnings requires precise timing, repeatability and reliable real-time detection. SensorX provides:

• Real-time detection of visual symbols and acoustic warnings
• Recognition of icon shape, colour and status changes
• Recognition of acoustic warning patterns
• Deterministic low latency for precise timing and latency analysis
• Objective and repeatable results without subjective driver assessment
• Support for ADAS, Euro NCAP and NHTSA testing
• Seamless integration into existing vehicle-test systems
• Embedded browser-based configuration without additional software

Applications

SensorX connects driver-warning perception with objective ADAS validation by measuring visual and acoustic alerts directly inside the vehicle cockpit.

• Adaptive Cruise Control: Validation of visual and acoustic ACC warnings in dynamic driving scenarios
• Bench Testing: Automated validation of warning signals under controlled conditions
• Blind Spot Detection: Detection and verification of BSD warnings inside the cockpit
• Dooring and Exit Warning: Validation of warnings designed to protect vulnerable road users
• Durability Testing: Long-term monitoring of driver warnings during endurance and durability tests
• Euro NCAP Testing: Objective and repeatable assessment of driver-warning signals
• Lane Departure and Lane Keeping: Validation of LDW and LKA warnings
• Latency Measurement: Deterministic measurement of visual and acoustic warning delays in real time

SensorX System Overview

SensorX Base Unit

The SensorX Base Unit combines powerful real-time audiovisual signal processing with flexible interfaces for integration into vehicle and bench-test environments.

Interfaces

• Power input: 9–32 V DC
• Ethernet: Connection for web-based configuration, system monitoring and data output
• Signal IN/OUT: Four configurable signal inputs and outputs for external devices and test-system integration
• CAN: Two CAN interfaces for vehicle signals and measurement results
• Sensor interfaces: Four interfaces for connecting several cameras and the microphone
• Display: Integrated status and diagnostic information for rapid system checks and troubleshooting

Performance and Configuration

• Powerful computing core: Optimised for fast and reliable real-time audio and video signal processing
• Embedded web interface: Browser-based configuration and system monitoring without additional software
• Robust housing: Rugged, passively cooled enclosure for flexible installation inside the vehicle

High-Performance Camera

Industrial camera technology enables SensorX to detect changes in symbol shape, colour and status in real time.

Several visual signals can be processed simultaneously. Measurement results are transmitted with low latency as digital trigger signals and UDP or CAN messages.

Camera Technical Data

• Image processing at a minimum frame rate of 100 Hz
• Application-specific frame rates up to 300 Hz
• Camera resolution of 1,400 × 1,080 pixels
• Fast and precise autofocus
• Robust cabling for demanding vehicle environments
• Optional active lighting for reliable image recognition
• Rugged IP67 enclosure
• Multiple threaded mounting points
• Standard ¼-inch camera mount
• Suitable for direct installation on the dashboard

High-Sensitivity Microphone

The omnidirectional SensorX microphone detects acoustic warning patterns as well as single-frequency and multi-frequency signals in real time.

Microphone Technical Data

• Intelligent filtering: Advanced algorithms suppress ambient noise for stable and precise acoustic detection
• High sensitivity: Reliable detection of very quiet warning signals
• Wide frequency response: 70–18,000 Hz for detecting a broad range of vehicle warning tones and acoustic patterns

Core Functions and Extensions

The basic SensorX configuration includes one camera and one microphone.

The standard software licence supports:

• One user-defined visual symbol
• Up to three associated status conditions
• Two acoustic warning signals

The system can be expanded with additional functions and monitoring capacities according to the application.

Real-Time Audiovisual Signal Detection

Symbol Recognition

SensorX can learn and reliably recognise user-defined symbols. Symbols can be trained using synthetically generated images or live images from a connected camera.

During operation, the trained symbol is located within a defined search area in the camera image. Integrated image preprocessing compensates for camera movement, vibration and minor positional deviations.

The search area is dynamically adjusted to detected image shifts, ensuring stable and reliable symbol recognition during vehicle testing.

Status Detection

Multiple states can be defined for each recognised symbol.

A status is determined by evaluating several distinguishable areas within the symbol. Each area is assigned a specific colour characteristic used to classify the current state.

Detection areas can be configured manually or generated automatically. Reference colours can be predefined or captured from live camera images.

A status is recognised when all defined areas match their assigned colour characteristics.

Sound Recognition

SensorX can learn and identify user-defined acoustic warning signals, including:

• Individual warning tones
• Multi-frequency signals
• Repeating acoustic patterns
• More complex warning sequences

Advanced signal processing and intelligent ambient-noise filtering provide reliable real-time detection, even under changing noise conditions inside the vehicle.

Detected visual and acoustic events can be transmitted as digital trigger signals, CAN messages or Ethernet data for integration into automated test and measurement systems.