2024–2025 Automotive DMS/OMS Market Report: Alcohol Detection and CPD Tech Redefine In-Cabin Monitoring in China and Globally
The global and Chinese automotive industry is undergoing a transformation in vehicle safety and driver assistance technologies, with in-cabin monitoring systems at the forefront. The newly released “Automotive DMS/OMS (Driver/Occupant Monitoring System) Research Report, 2024-2025” from ResearchAndMarkets.com provides an in-depth examination of this rapidly evolving market. The report analyzes the state of in-cabin monitoring systems (ICMS), focusing on advancements such as unconscious alcohol detection and Child Presence Detection (CPD), and charts the path forward for key stakeholders including OEMs, technology suppliers, and regulators.
In-Cabin Monitoring Market Sees Substantial Growth
In-cabin monitoring systems—particularly DMS and OMS—are gaining momentum as essential safety features. Between January and November 2024, China’s passenger car market recorded sales of 20.125 million units. Of these, 3.288 million vehicles were equipped with DMS or OMS systems as standard, reflecting a 39.4% year-on-year increase. The overall installation rate rose to 16.3%, a significant 3.6 percentage point jump from the previous year.
Among these, DMS installations reached 3.18 million units with a 15.8% installation rate—marking a striking 82.7% increase compared to the same period in 2023. On the other hand, OMS installations dropped by 18.1% year-on-year to 755,000 units, equating to a modest 3.7% installation rate.
Notably, domestic brands are leading the charge. Li Auto, HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance), NIO, Zeekr, and BYD were among the top adopters of DMS/OMS technology. Together, the top 10 brands accounted for over 62.7% of the total in-cabin monitoring system installations in China.
Regulatory Tailwinds Drive DMS Adoption
One of the primary catalysts behind the increased adoption of DMS is evolving safety legislation. In Europe, the General Safety Regulation II (GSR II) mandates that all new vehicle models from July 2024 must be equipped with Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) systems. By July 2026, this requirement will extend to all newly manufactured vehicles. These systems monitor driver alertness and issue warnings to prevent distracted or drowsy driving.
In China, the 2024 edition of the C-NCAP (China New Car Assessment Program) management rules now includes DMS functionality as a part of active safety evaluation for the first time. DMS-equipped vehicles can earn up to two points in the scoring system, giving automakers a strong incentive to implement these systems.
With both regulatory and technological support, DMS is poised to become a standard feature in most new vehicles. Forecasts suggest that by 2027, annual DMS installations in China’s passenger car market could surpass 9.47 million units. The market for camera-based DMS technology alone is expected to reach a valuation of 7.11 billion yuan.
Unconscious Alcohol Detection: From Accountability to Prevention
A groundbreaking advancement in DMS functionality is the integration of unconscious alcohol detection. Rather than relying on post-incident testing, these systems detect alcohol impairment before the vehicle is in motion. This shift from “post-event accountability” to “pre-event prevention” represents a paradigm change in road safety strategy.
Regulations are reinforcing this trend. Starting January 2026, Euro NCAP will include alcohol and drug impairment as key evaluation criteria in its safety testing. In response, in-cabin monitoring systems must now be capable of assessing behavioral indicators—such as facial cues, breath components, and physiological data—to determine whether a driver is impaired.
Meanwhile, countries like Germany have mandated alcohol lock interface installations in new cars, paving the way for aftermarket or OEM-installed breathalyzer systems. In the United States, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act stipulates that by 2026, all vehicles must be equipped with systems to monitor and prevent drunk driving.
Automotive OEMs and tech companies are already rolling out various alcohol detection solutions, integrating advanced sensors into the cabin environment that can unobtrusively monitor breath alcohol levels in real-time.
Child Presence Detection (CPD): UWB and Radar Take Center Stage
Another critical area of in-cabin safety is Child Presence Detection (CPD). As awareness around hot-car deaths and child endangerment rises, CPD systems have become a major focal point for regulatory bodies and manufacturers alike.
CPD systems typically consist of two components: detection and reminder systems. These can be categorized into indirect and direct sensing technologies. Indirect sensing uses logic-based triggers—like door status, seat sensors, or capacitive sensing—to infer the presence of a person or object. However, these systems often cannot distinguish between living beings and inanimate objects.
In contrast, direct sensing technologies can detect life signs such as breathing, movement, and heartbeats. Technologies powering direct sensing include radar, cameras, UWB (ultra-wideband) radar, and even Wi-Fi-based solutions.
As safety rating systems evolve, particularly with upgrades to C-NCAP and Euro NCAP protocols, only direct sensing-based CPD systems are expected to earn points in assessments. Consequently, indirect sensing methods are being phased out in favor of more advanced radar- and UWB-based systems.
Technological Landscape and Key Players
The report offers an extensive analysis of the entire in-cabin monitoring ecosystem—from sensors and chips to algorithms and system integrators.
Key technological domains include:
- Visual Perception: Camera systems are the backbone of most DMS and OMS implementations, offering real-time image data for AI-based behavior analysis.
- Radar & UWB Sensors: Widely used in CPD for detecting vital signs and subtle movement, particularly useful in challenging environmental conditions.
- Alcohol Detection Sensors: Using breath analysis or ambient monitoring, these sensors are central to the next generation of DMS.
- CO₂ Detectors: Supplement in-cabin monitoring by analyzing breathing patterns and air quality as potential indicators of human presence.
In-Cabin Monitoring in Real-World Applications
The report reviews a broad range of OEM use cases across both domestic Chinese brands and international automakers.
Highlighted Chinese models include:
- Yangwang U9
- Geely Galaxy E8
- Zeekr 7X
- Changan UNI-Z & Deepal G318
- Avatr 07, Dongfeng 007, ARCFOX Alpha S5
- Exeed STERRA ET
Emerging brands featured:
- Xiaomi SU7
- Luxeed R7
- Stelato S9
- Li MEGA Ultra
- Xpeng MONA M03
- ONVO L60
- Leapmotor C16
International examples:
- Volvo EX30
- Lotus EMEYA
- 2024 Buick E5
- 2025 BMW i4
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQE
- 2025 Genesis GV70
Supplier Landscape
The report profiles a wide array of suppliers contributing to in-cabin monitoring systems.
Top Chinese suppliers include:
- Jingwei HiRain
- Baolong Automotive
- MINIEYE
- OFILM
- Hikvision
- WHST
- Longhorn Auto
- SenseTime
- ArcSoft
- OmniVision
- oToBrite Electronics
Leading international suppliers:
- Continental
- Magna
- Cipia Vision
- Valeo
- Emotion3D
- Smart Eye
- LG Electronics
- ams OSRAM
