AKM announces camera-less modules for detection of falls, vital signs etc
Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) began mass production of the AK5816AIM, an Antenna-in-Module (AiM) millimetre-wave (mmWave) radar module, in July 2026. Its integrated antenna, compact packaging, and high-resolution performance enable the rapid adoption of camera-less monitoring solutions in private spaces.
Fuelled in part by ageing populations and a steady increase in pet ownership, in-home monitoring has become integral for many consumers. This growing demand comes with challenges: camera-based monitoring raises privacy concerns, and wearable sensors often compromise comfort and convenience.
As mmWave radar can detect a person’s presence, movement, and even breathing without relying on cameras, it offers a solution for non-contact monitoring. The development of practical mmWave radar systems has traditionally required extensive expertise in radio-frequency (RF) antenna design, which has made commercialisation and mass production difficult.
AKM’s new AiM module is built around the AK5816 mmWave radar transceiver IC, whose multi- channel sensing capability and high angular resolution enable highly accurate detection of position, motion, breathing, posture, and other state changes in people and pets. The AK5816AIM integrates the AK5816 and a 4-in/4-out antenna array into a single compact package (23 mm × 23 mm). This solution eliminates the antenna design process, enabling rapid product development, even for teams without RF design expertise.
Designed with residential equipment, IoT monitoring devices, and age-tech solutions in mind, AKM’s new AiM is suited for monitoring applications in environments where many would be reluctant to install cameras, such as bathrooms and bedrooms. The company has already launched services that use the AK5816AIM for non-contact, camera-less monitoring in bathrooms and living spaces in “Hebel Village,” a senior housing offering developed by Asahi Kasei Homes.
