Introducing Ready Care – HARMAN’s First-Ever Driver Monitoring System

During a Wall Street Journal feature, I showcased the early prototype of HARMAN’s In-Cabin Monitoring System—a pioneering driver-monitoring solution engineered to transform road safety by tracking engagement, attention, and cognitive load.

In my role as Senior Manager of Technology Product Management at HARMAN, I led the product’s evolution from concept to launch, integrating advanced AI, biometric sensing, and neuroscience-driven algorithms to detect subtle changes in pupil dilation that indicate high mental workload.

This breakthrough technology, unveiled as part of our original product release, eliminated the need for cumbersome sensors by harnessing the power of in-cabin cameras. Our proprietary eye and pupil tracking system continuously analyzes the driver’s pupil reflex, isolating signals triggered by distraction and drowsiness.

The system intelligently communicates with the vehicle’s safety features—whether by adjusting user interfaces (such as enabling a do-not-disturb mode) or calibrating ADAS intervention thresholds—to maintain an optimal driving environment.

Evolving from this early innovation, the technology became the cornerstone of HARMAN Ready Care—an industry-first solution that monitors the driver’s eyes, mind, and vital signs to create a personalized in-vehicle experience. Ready Care’s machine learning algorithms classify cognitive states to differentiate between focus and distraction, and deliver proactive, tailored interventions that not only enhance safety but also improve comfort by sensing key vitals.

This seamless integration of safety and comfort redefined in-cabin experiences, ensuring that every journey is both secure and intelligently responsive to the driver’s needs.