To demonstrate the overhanging motion sensor, a camera was positioned at the same point, visualizing a yellow box to show when the system detected movement toward the multimodal controller and a red box to show if hands were near the gearstick.

ENGADGET: Alps Electric integrates motion sensors and eye detection into vehicle cockpit of the future (video)

At the moment, the setup was still pretty rough around the edges, with an Alps employee keying in at least some of the commands during our demo, but we like the idea of integrating sensors that focus on the driver -- and that gently self-guiding gearstick.

ENGADGET: Alps Electric integrates motion sensors and eye detection into vehicle cockpit of the future (video)