LG Innotek is targeting the autonomous driving sensing market with its new vehicle camera, which is installed behind the dashboard.
On December 18, LG Innotek announced that it has developed a next-generation under-display camera module for vehicles, which is mounted behind the dashboard to monitor the driver. The company will unveil this technology for the first time at CES 2026, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition.
The next-generation under-display camera is installed behind the vehicle display, making the camera invisible from the outside. It serves as a core component of the driver monitoring system, which detects driver behaviors such as drowsiness and forward gaze in real time.
As autonomous driving technology advances, the importance of devices that monitor driver inattentiveness is increasing. Europe plans to mandate the installation of driver monitoring systems in new vehicles starting in 2026, and countries such as the United States, China, and Japan are also considering similar requirements. In the automotive industry, demand is rising for under-display cameras over protruding cameras, due to their advantages in design completeness and privacy.
However, a key limitation of under-display cameras has been the decline in image quality caused by the display panel obstructing the camera's view. To address this, LG Innotek applied its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) image restoration software. By combining technology that sharpens blurry images with noise reduction technology, the company claims to have achieved image quality that is over 99% equivalent to that of a camera without a display panel.
LG Innotek plans to expand demand for this product, focusing on premium automotive brands. In the future, the company aims to broaden its functionality to recognize not only drivers but also passengers, thereby extending to personalized convenience features such as seat adjustment and interior temperature control.
With the launch of the next-generation under-display camera, LG Innotek also intends to strengthen its vehicle sensing solutions business. The company’s strategy is to lead the market with autonomous driving sensing solutions that combine camera modules with LiDAR radar. Last year, LG Innotek introduced high-performance heating cameras and in-cabin cameras. This year, the company has formed a strategic partnership with U.S. LiDAR company Aeva and invested in Smart Radar System, a domestic 4D imaging radar company.
CEO Moon Hyuksu previously stated that the company aims to grow its vehicle sensing solutions business to 2 trillion won in revenue by 2030. According to market research firm S&P Global, the global in-cabin camera module market for vehicles is expected to grow from approximately $1.8 billion in 2025 to about $5.1 billion in 2035, with an average annual growth rate of 11%.
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