Millimeter Wave Sensors Milweb™ : 5 Application Examples

A millimeter wave sensors is a sensor that uses radio waves in the high-frequency bandwidth of 30 GHz to 300 GHz.
By irradiating an object with millimeter waves, information about its location and relative speed to the object can be detected with high accuracy based on the distance and angle to the object.

The main features of millimeter wave sensors are as follows.
Compared to the sensing technology of cameras, etc. :

Privacy is ensured
Coordinate information can be linked as data
Significant development costs of image processing can be reduced

Compared to other radio wave sensors :

Less susceptible to radio interference and environmental changes such as rain and fog

Taking advantage of these features, it is expected that high-accuracy sensing will be used in a wide range of fields, including autonomous driving, smart homes, and healthcare. We have developed the millimeter wave sensors Milweb™, which combines a millimeter wave radar with SMK’s original algorithm that processes data collected through sensing. Here we will provide an overview of Milweb™ and its applications.

Overview of Milweb™
Applications
Summary

Overview of Milweb™

Milweb™ is a millimeter wave sensors that combines a sensor that detects distance, speed, angle, etc. using millimeter wave radar technology with SMK’s original algorithm that processes the collected data. There are three types of algorithms for different frequencies available to meet a wide range of needs.

To make it easy for customers to try out millimeter wave sensors, we offer the Milweb™ Application Kit (MAK), an evaluation kit that comes with Milweb™ and a PC application as a set, for different frequencies.

Detailed documents on the MAK are available for download below, including detailed specifications of the MAK, which has three types of algorithms for different frequencies, and the GUI for the PC application set.

Products

MAK24（24GHz）

It can be used as a human presence sensor for up to a distance of approximately 3 m and detect breathing rate up to a distance of approximately 1 m.

MAK60（60GHz）

The MAK60 is capable of sensing medium distances up to approximately 10 m.

MAK79（79GHz）

The MAK79 is capable of sensing long distances up to approximately 100 m (depending on the detection target).

Download detailed documents

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Milweb™ Application Kit (MAK) specifications
What’s in MAK
How to use MAK
GUI image

Download MAK documents here

Milweb™ can be customized to suit customer needs.

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Please inquire here for customization requirements.

With an antenna design based on the wireless communication technology we have cultivated up to now, hardware design in accordance with customer needs, and algorithm development, our services are characterized by high flexibility.

Applications

Application example 1: Detection of children left behind（24GHz）

Milweb™ can be utilized to prevent accidents where children are left behind on buses that shuttle children to nursery schools or kindergartens.

Milweb™ detects the presence or absence of occupants by sensing the reflected waves from individuals inside the vehicle.
We installed Milweb™ in the center of the interior of a shuttle microbus and measured the strength of the reflected waves from everywhere both inside and outside the vehicle.

We have been able to capture the reflected waves below the threshold outside the bus and above the threshold inside the bus.
Using Milweb™, it is possible to check blind spots that are not visible to the human eye or camera. We are also continuing development with a view to building a post-detection system that can be linked to an emergency alarm, for example.

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Since April 2023, it has become mandatory for buses used to transport children to and from nursery schools, kindergartens, and certified childcare centers to be equipped with safety devices.

Milweb Detection of children left behind

Application example 2: In-room monitoring（24GHz）

The number of elderly people living alone or in institutions such as nursing homes is increasing every year, and there are issues in establishing a system for watching over them, such as shortage of manpower. Remote monitoring using camera images and videos requires consideration of the subject’s psychological resistance and privacy. Milweb™ aims to make it possible to watch over people in their rooms without contact and without using camera images or videos.

When Milweb™ is placed about 1 m away from a subject who is at rest, it can measure their breathing rate without contact, helping to determine whether the subject is feeling unwell without applying any strain on them.
When installed about 3 m away from the subject, it can detect their movement within the room.
It can also detect a subject who is at rest, which would be difficult to detect with a human presence sensor.
The algorithm can be chosen depending on the purpose.
We will continue working on developing technology for monitoring systems.

Application example 3: Pet and animal monitoring（24GHz）

In recent years, attention to animal welfare^(*)has been increasing, and technological development and legislation are being developed in various fields to realize it.

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Animal welfare is defined in the recommendations of the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH), an international organization dedicated to improving animal health worldwide and of which Japan is a member, as “the physical and mental state of an animal in relation to the conditions in which it lives and dies.”

Milweb™ can be used to identify an animal’s health status and detect illness and abnormal behavior at an early stage. We are currently testing vital signs sensing in situations where a pet is left alone at a veterinary clinic or at home.

Milweb™ detects chest movement caused by breathing and instantly analyzes the data with our algorithm to express the estimated breathing rate in real time.
The system is capable of detecting the resting breathing rate of dogs, cats, reptiles and other animals, as well as their presence or absence in a cage, and is scheduled to be tested on a variety of animals, including large animals such as livestock. Online monitoring is expected not only to improve animal welfare, but also to improve the work environment of people engaged in animal care and management, such as those working in veterinary clinics and the livestock industry.

Application example 4: Occupancy and congestion rate detection（60GHz）

Milweb™ can be utilized to detect people’s movements, locations, and density.
The image below is of a dashboard screen showing the results of actual sensing of the number of people, their locations, and density.

Algorithm to detect the locations and number of people
Milweb™ Assistant GUI

Algorithm to detect density
Milweb™ Assistant GUI

The Milweb™ Assistant, which detects the location and number of people, can be used to detect people in private rooms such as restrooms in commercial facilities and buildings, while ensuring privacy.
During the daytime, when the facilities are in operation, the system can be useful in communicating the congestion status to visitors and can also contribute to safety by detecting prolonged stays.
At night, the system can be expected to be effective for crime prevention through the detection of people staying behind.

The Milweb™ Assistant, which detects density, can be used to monitor customer traffic and congestion status in stores, food courts, etc. and detect sudden crowding at events, etc., making it possible to avoid problems.

Application example 5: Proximity detection（79GHz）

Micromobility is becoming increasingly popular as a means of urban transportation that avoids traffic and fills a gap in public transportation, and along this growth comes growing concerns about safety.
In particular, the number of users of electric kickboards and mopeds (fully electric bicycles) is increasing, and so is the rate of accidents. Milweb™ can be expected to be utilized as a solution to support safe driving.
Using the MAK79, which is capable of long-distance detection of approximately 100 m, we are currently conducting testing to identify from moving vehicles which lane the vehicle behind is traveling in and at what distance.

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Sensing accuracy depends on the shape and size of the vehicle behind.
We are currently conducting testing in various environments with the aim of creating a solution that contributes to safe traffic environments, such as a system that alerts riders of approaching vehicles by linking with cycle computers and micromobility.

(Distance to the vehicle behind in each lane is detected.)

Summary

We have shared five application examples of the millimeter wave sensors Milweb™.
Since all algorithms are developed in-house, additional functions can be added upon request. We can meet diverse needs, including customization of hardware such as the casing.
In addition, SMK also offers the Milweb™ Application Kit (MAK), an evaluation kit that comes with a sensor and PC application software so that users can easily try millimeter wave sensing.
Please click below to download the documents including the detailed specifications of MAK, which has three types of algorithms for different frequencies, and the GUI for the PC application set.

Download detailed documents

Please enter your company name, name, and email address to view the information listed on the right.