Beyond vehicle performance, passenger safety and comfort are indispensable elements of future mobility. In particular, monitoring human bio-signals within the vehicle is critical, as a significant portion of traffic accidents stems from the driver’s health conditions—such as drowsiness, fatigue, or sudden medical emergencies like strokes. By integrating bio-signal monitoring into vehicles, we can develop proactive systems that detect early warning signs and prevent accidents before they occur. In addition, continuous monitoring of in-cabin environmental conditions, including air quality, temperature, and humidity, ensures that vehicles provide a healthier and more adaptive atmosphere for passengers. Through these approaches, our research aims to establish vehicles not only as means of transportation but also as intelligent guardians of human health and well-being.

⦁ Bio-signal detection

⦁ Environmental condition detection (e.g., gas, temperature, etc.)

Bio-signal detection

 In our research on bio-signal monitoring, we have developed wearable electrodes based on Ag–Au core–shell nanowires, which provide excellent conductivity, flexibility, and skin conformability. These electrodes enable stable and sensitive detection of electromyography (EMG) signals, capturing subtle muscle activities with high fidelity. Moreover, the platform can be extended to measure a wide range of bio-signals—including electrooculography (EOG) and electrocardiography (ECG)—thereby broadening its utility for continuous human monitoring. When integrated into mobility systems, such wearable bio-signal sensors hold strong potential to improve safety and reliability: detecting driver drowsiness, monitoring health-related risks, and enhancing the overall in-cabin experience. Ultimately, this technology bridges advanced nanomaterial engineering with intelligent automotive applications, paving the way toward safer and more human-centered mobility.
(Reference: Yeongju Jung†, Kyung Rok Pyun†, Sejong Yu, Jiyong Ahn, Jinsol Kim, Jung Jae Park, Min Jae Lee, Byunghong Lee, Daeyeon Won, Junhyuk Bang, Seung Hwan Ko*, "Laser-Induced Nanowire Percolation Interlocking for Ultrarobust Soft Electronics", Nano-Micro Letters, 17, 127, 2025.)

Environmental condition detection (e.g., gas, temperature, etc.)

 In addition to bio-signal monitoring, we have explored environmental condition detection through gas and temperature sensing. Especially, laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes provide a robust platform for developing sensitive and reliable sensors with their highly porous structure, excellent conductivity, and tunable surface chemistry, . Our studies demonstrate strong capabilities in detecting gas concentration changes and temperature variations with high fidelity. Looking ahead, such LIG-based sensing technologies hold great promise for integration into mobility systems, where continuous monitoring of in-cabin air quality and thermal conditions could significantly enhance passenger safety, comfort, and overall driving experience.
(Reference:  Yeongju Jung†, JinKi Min†, Joonhwa Choi, Junhyuk Bang, Seongmin Jeong, Kyung Rok Pyun, Jiyong Ahn, Yeongtak Cho, Seunghun Hong, Sukjoon Hong, Jinwoo Lee, Seung Hwan Ko*, "Smart paper electronics by laser-induced graphene for biodegradable real-time food spoilage monitoring", Applied Materials Today, 29, 101589, 2022.)