Aptiv PLC (NYSE: APTV) announced the launch of its Advanced Occupancy Classification system, which the company describes as the first occupant detection solution powered entirely by an in-cabin camera. The system eliminates traditional in-seat hardware while maintaining occupancy detection capabilities.

The camera-based system uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to classify occupants based on height, weight, and body position parameters. This information enables airbag deployment decisions and can distinguish between adults, children, infants in carriers, and inanimate objects while recognizing posture, size, seating position, and orientation.

According to Aptiv, the system achieved 100% accuracy across federal regulatory tests, including those evaluating occupant protection in frontal crashes under FMVSS 208 regulation. The technology replaces multiple sensors and wiring with a single interior camera, which the company states reduces bill-of-materials cost by up to 40%.

"By moving to a camera-only architecture, we are leading a new generation of intelligent, software-defined safety features enabled through a single sensor," said Matthew Cole, Senior Vice President, Sensors and Compute at Aptiv.

The simplified architecture allows for thinner seat profiles and easier integration of comfort features such as heating, cooling and massage systems. The same interior camera can support more than 15 additional functions including seatbelt-status monitoring, driver-attention tracking, and gesture recognition.

The system features over-the-air upgrade capabilities and integrates inputs from multiple sensors, AI models and vehicle data. Aptiv will demonstrate the technology at InCabin USA, taking place June 9-11 at Huntington Place in Detroit.

The announcement is based on information from an Aptiv press release.