Kia Motors to Preview its AI-based Real-Time Emotion Recognition Technology at CES

author: Eric Walz   

Like many other automakers, South Korea's Kia Motors is preparing for a future of autonomous driving vehicles that will led to an entirely new passenger experience. The automaker plans to so off some of its new tech at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) show in January. One of the most interesting new technologies developed by Kia is a AI-based emotion detector.

Kia is bringing to CES a ‘Space of Emotive Driving' exhibit which offers a look into a future when autonomous driving vehicles are the norm, and priority is given to improving the experience of vehicle occupants.

Central to this concept is Kia's new Real-time Emotion Adaptive Driving (R.E.A.D.) System – a world's first technology developed based on a joint research collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab's Affective Computing group.

The READ System can optimize and personalize a vehicle's cabin by analyzing a driver's emotional state in real-time through artificial intelligence-based bio-signal recognition technology. The technology monitors a driver's emotional state, such as if they are angry or happy, and tailors the vehicle's interior according to its assessment, creating a better mobility experience for vehicle occupants.

Albert Biermann, President and Head of Research & Development Division of Kia Motors, said, "We have developed R.E.A.D. System to create an interactive future mobility in-cabin space by converging cutting edge vehicle control technology and AI-based emotional intelligence. Consequently, R.E.A.D. System will enable continuous communication between drivers and vehicles through the unspoken language of ‘emotional feeling', thereby providing an optimized human senses-oriented space for drivers in real-time."

Kia is not alone in developing technology to detect the emotions of vehicle occupants. Two notable companies, Boston-based Affectiva, which also spun out of MIT's Media Lab, and Silicon Valley-based startup Eyeris are also focusing on "vision A.I." products for monitoring drivers and improving the rider experience.

Kia's CES exhibit will also feature several other advanced in-car and mobility technologies focused on the brand's ‘emotive driving' concept, with more details set to be announced before CES kicks off in January.

Kia will operate 15-minute ‘Docent Tours' at regular intervals throughout the duration of CES 2019. The tours will give CES attendees a more in-depth understanding of the new technologies on display.

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.