Gentex Expands Cabin Monitoring Capabilities With the Acquisition of Guardian Optical Technologies

Rhea-AI Summary

Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) announced the acquisition of Guardian Optical Technologies, a startup specializing in driver and cabin monitoring solutions. Guardian's technology integrates an advanced multi-modal sensor capable of assessing occupant behavior and detecting vital signs. This acquisition enhances Gentex's capabilities in cabin monitoring and allows for innovative designs, particularly in smart rearview mirrors. The integration aims to provide automakers with comprehensive monitoring solutions for increased safety and convenience in vehicles.

Positive

• Acquisition of Guardian Optical Technologies enhances Gentex's driver and cabin monitoring solutions.
• Integration of Guardian’s advanced multi-modal sensors positions Gentex as a leader in automotive safety technology.
• Potential to develop innovative driver monitoring systems utilizing existing smart rearview mirror designs.

Negative

• None.

ZEELAND, Mich., Sept. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) today announced the acquisition of Guardian Optical Technologies, an Israeli startup that pioneered a unique, multi-modal sensor technology designed to provide a comprehensive suite of driver- and cabin-monitoring solutions for the automotive industry.

Gentex is a long-time supplier of electro-optical products for the global automotive, aerospace and fire protection industries. It’s best known for supplying nearly every major automaker with connected-car technologies and advanced electronic features that optimize driver vision and enhance driving safety.

The core of Guardian’s technology is an infrared-sensitive, high-resolution camera that combines machine vision, depth perception, and micro-vibration detection. This proprietary sensor configuration allows the system to not only monitor the driver, but also the entire vehicle cabin and all its objects and occupants, assessing their behavior, gestures, and activities.
The system continuously scans, tracks and determines the physical location of every vehicle occupant and object, even without a direct line of sight, by combining two-dimensional video image recognition with 3D depth mapping and optical motion analysis. It’s capable of detecting the slightest of movements, including heartbeats.

“Guardian utilizes artificial intelligence and computer vision algorithms to create comprehensive, in-cabin sensing functionality for today’s vehicles and the autonomous age,” said Gentex Chief Technology Officer Neil Boehm. “With a single sensor module, we can monitor driver alertness, fine-tune airbag deployment, track passenger behavior -- even detect the presence of a child sleeping in a car seat in the rear of the vehicle.”

The Guardian acquisition further bolsters Gentex’s cabin monitoring expertise. For decades, the company has integrated displays, cameras, and various ADAS features into its smart rearview mirrors. Because the interior mirror area has an ideal view of the driver and the entire vehicle cabin, it’s a logical location for the integration of the in-cabin monitoring camera.

“A mirror-borne, in-cabin monitoring system would allow automakers to offer an attractively packaged, scalable, cross-car-line feature in a high-performance location that simplifies regulatory compliance,” explained Boehm. “We’re currently working on multiple proof-of-concept designs for mirror- and overhead-console-integrated driver monitoring solutions.”

In January, Gentex announced the acquisition of Vaporsens, a Utah-based startup that pioneered a new nanofiber sensing technology capable of detecting a wide variety of chemicals, including explosives, drugs, VOCs, toxic industrial chemicals, amines, and more. This digital olfaction technology could be used to monitor in-vehicle air quality in passenger vehicles, and expanded to identify explosives, biohazards and other pollutants for self-driving cars.

“Our goal is to provide automakers with holistic cabin monitoring solutions, from simple driver monitoring through complete cabin monitoring and machine olfaction,” continued Boehm. “We’re engineering a comprehensive and scalable platform based on robust sensor fusion techniques that will allow us to provide features for today’s vehicles, transitionary vehicles, and completely autonomous mobility solutions.”

Founded in 2015 and based in Tel Aviv, Israel, Guardian Optical Technologies is dedicated to enabling “passenger aware” cars with cutting-edge, optical sensor technology that makes vehicles safer and more convenient.

Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) is a supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics to the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows for aviation markets, and fire protection products to the fire protection market. Visit the company website at www.gentex.com.

Gentex Media Contact
Craig Piersma
(616) 772-1590 x4316
craig.piersma@gentex.com

Gentex Investor Relations Contact
Josh O’Berski
(616) 772-1800 x5814
josh.oberski@gentex.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/66fbf308-982c-4b62-941f-123dd8c4909f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/66a01cd6-c172-4ca6-b006-a097ce64ba32

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e2a3c06e-7b1f-486d-acfa-507085a2dc30

FAQ

What is the purpose of Gentex's acquisition of Guardian Optical Technologies?

The acquisition aims to enhance Gentex's driver and cabin monitoring solutions for improved vehicle safety.

What technology is involved in the Guardian acquisition?

Guardian's technology features advanced multi-modal sensors that monitor occupant behavior and detect vital signs.

How will the Guardian acquisition impact Gentex's product offerings?

It will strengthen Gentex's capabilities in providing comprehensive in-cabin monitoring solutions and expand their market footprint.

When was the acquisition of Guardian Optical Technologies announced?

The acquisition was announced on September 6, 2021.