OCCUPANT MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Various implementations include a vehicle occupant imaging system that is disposed within a vehicle. The system includes an automotive clock spring, at least one imaging unit, and a first processing unit. The automotive clock spring includes a rotor to which a rotatable portion of the steering wheel assembly is coupled, a stator coupled to a stationary portion of the vehicle, and a set of wires extending between the rotor and stator. The imaging unit is coupled to the rotatable portion of the steering wheel assembly. The first processing unit is disposed within the rotor and is configured for electrically receiving image signals captured by the imaging unit and selecting at least a portion of the image signals for communicating to a second processing unit disposed outside of the rotor. The selected image signals are electrically communicated to the second processing unit via the set of electrical wires.