Seeing Machines Bets on Human-Centric Future for Autonomous Vehicles

CANBERRA, Australia – January 02, 2026 – As the autonomous vehicle (AV) industry pivots from sprawling research projects to commercial reality, technology firm Seeing Machines has launched a dedicated 'Future Mobility Group'. The initiative signals a strategic move to embed human-centric safety systems at the core of the next generation of robotaxis, delivery drones, and self-driving trucks, addressing a critical hurdle for mass deployment: trust and scalability.

The announcement comes as the AV sector reaches a long-anticipated inflection point. Major players like Waymo and Cruise are expanding their commercial robotaxi services, and analysts predict a dramatic increase in autonomous operations. Goldman Sachs Research projects the US robotaxi fleet could grow from just over 1,500 vehicles today to 35,000 by 2030. This transition from controlled testing to widespread public use creates an urgent need for production-ready safety systems that can scale globally and operate reliably without constant human supervision.

Seeing Machines, an Australian company specializing in AI-powered vision technology, aims to fill this gap. The new group will focus on integrating the company's driver and occupant monitoring systems (DMS/OMS) directly into the platforms of autonomous vehicle developers, moving beyond its established role in development vehicles to become a foundational component of commercial fleets.

The Commercialization Catalyst

The global push toward autonomous mobility is no longer a futuristic concept; it is an active commercial race. The AV market, valued at over $68 billion in 2024, is projected to exceed $214 billion by 2030. The fastest-growing segment within this boom is commercial vehicles, with logistics and delivery services eager to leverage autonomy for efficiency and cost savings. This rapid scaling introduces complex safety challenges that go far beyond the vehicle's ability to navigate roads.

As vehicles achieve higher levels of automation (Level 3 and above), the human role shifts from active driver to passive occupant or remote supervisor. This creates a critical need for technology that understands the state of the people inside the vehicle. Is a backup driver in a test vehicle paying attention? Are passengers in a robotaxi safe? Has a remote operator supervising a fleet of trucks become fatigued? These are the questions that interior sensing technology is designed to answer.

Seeing Machines is already a key player in this space, with its Guardian-based backup driver monitoring system installed in over 1,000 self-driving development vehicles worldwide. The establishment of the Future Mobility Group represents a formal strategy to leverage this experience for the commercial deployment phase, offering a more structured engagement model for AV companies preparing to scale their operations.

Bridging the Human-Machine Trust Gap

For autonomous technology to gain widespread public acceptance, it must be demonstrably safe and trustworthy. This trust is built not only on the vehicle's flawless driving performance but also on its ability to intelligently manage the 'human element' within the cabin.

"Future Mobility is not just about autonomy, it's about building transport systems that understand people as well as they understand the road," said Paul McGlone, CEO at Seeing Machines, in the company's official announcement. "As automated driving technologies scale, interior sensing becomes a foundational capability, enabling safer, more reliable automation and greater trust between humans and machines."

Next-generation DMS and OMS technologies are moving far beyond simple drowsiness detection. At the upcoming CES 2026 trade show, Seeing Machines is expected to unveil a '3D Cabin Perception Mapping solution.' This advanced system uses a combination of sensors and AI to create a real-time, high-fidelity understanding of the entire cabin environment. It can detect not only where occupants are but also what they are doing—recognizing up to 35 different activities, from eating and drinking to making a phone call or falling asleep. This capability is crucial for assessing distraction, predicting intent, and ensuring safety in a shared, driverless environment. For instance, the system can verify seatbelt usage, identify an unattended child, or even detect a medical emergency or unsafe passenger behavior, allowing the vehicle or a remote center to respond appropriately.

A Strategic Move in a Crowded Market

Seeing Machines' formation of the Future Mobility Group is a calculated business maneuver in a burgeoning and competitive market. The global in-cabin sensing market is projected to grow into a nearly $8 billion industry by 2035, attracting major automotive suppliers like Bosch, Continental, and Valeo. By creating a dedicated team focused specifically on the lifecycle of autonomous programs, Seeing Machines aims to carve out a leadership position and establish its technology as an industry standard for commercial AVs.

The company is positioning itself as the first in its category to offer this level of dedicated support, proactively aligning its product roadmap with the needs of emerging robotaxi, logistics, and tele-operated vehicle platforms. This strategy builds upon a solid foundation. The company has secured ongoing contracts, including a recent USD 1.2 million deal in June 2025 to supply its Guardian system to a major North American self-driving car company for its test fleet. Furthermore, a collaboration and investment from Mitsubishi Electric Mobility Corporation, which now holds a significant stake in the company, strengthens its access to key automotive markets.

By focusing on the unique demands of full autonomy, the Future Mobility Group can offer deeper technical and commercial integration than a general-purpose automotive supplier might. This specialized focus could prove to be a significant competitive advantage as AV developers choose long-term partners for their commercial journey.

From Development Labs to Global Fleets

The ultimate goal of the new group is to transition Seeing Machines' technology from a safety backup system for human test drivers to an essential, embedded component for fully autonomous fleets. In a robotaxi, this technology ensures passenger safety and can monitor the vehicle's condition between rides. For an autonomous trucking fleet, it can monitor the state of a remote supervisor responsible for multiple vehicles or a lone driver during long, automated highway stretches.

The shift represents a fundamental change in the role of interior sensing. It is no longer just about the driver; it is about the entire mobility experience. By providing a comprehensive, real-time understanding of the cabin environment, this technology enables a new level of safety, security, and operational intelligence for commercial fleet operators.

As regulations evolve and autonomous services become a part of daily life, the ability to prove that a vehicle can manage its internal environment as proficiently as it navigates the external world will become a non-negotiable requirement. With the launch of its Future Mobility Group, Seeing Machines is making a clear statement that it intends to be the company providing that critical layer of human understanding.