Link: https://ala.associates/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/241001-Lynred-8.5-micron-EN-.pdf
Lynred demonstrates smallest thermal imaging sensor for future Automatic Emergency Braking Systems (AEB) at AutoSens Europe
Prototype 8.5 µm pixel pitch technology that shrinks by 50% the volume size of thermal cameras is designed to help automotive OEMs meet tougher future AEB system requirements, particularly at night.
Grenoble, France, October 1, 2024 – Lynred, a leading global provider of high-quality infrared sensors for the aerospace, defense and commercial markets, today announces it will demonstrate a prototype 8.5 µm pixel pitch sensor during AutoSens Europe, a major international event for automotive engineers, in Barcelona, Spain, October 8 – 10, 2024. The 8.5 µm pixel pitch technology is the smallest infrared sensor candidate for future Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
The prototype, featuring half the surface of current 12 µm thermal imaging sensors for automotive applications, will enable system developers to build much smaller cameras for integration in AEB systems.
Following a recent ruling by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), AEB systems will be mandatory in all light vehicles by 2029. It sets tougher rules for road safety at night.
The NHTSA sees driver assistance technologies and the deployment of sensors and subsystems as holding the potential to reduce traffic crashes and save thousands of lives per year. The European Traffic Safety Council (ETSC) also recognizes that AEB systems need to work better in wet, foggy and low-light conditions.
Thermal imaging sensors can detect and identify objects in total darkness. As automotive OEMs need to upgrade the performance of AEB systems within all light vehicles, Lynred is preparing a full roadmap of solutions set to help achieve this compliance. Currently gearing up for high volume production of its automotive qualified 12µm product offer, Lynred is ready to deliver the key component enabling Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) systems to work in adverse conditions, particularly at night, when more than 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur.
Lynred is among the first companies to demonstrate a longwave infrared (LWIR) pixel pitch technology for ADAS and PAEB systems that will optimize the size to performance ratio of future generation cameras. The 8.5µm pixel pitch technology will divide by two the volume of a thermal imaging camera, resulting in easier integration for OEMs, while successfully maintaining the same performance standards as larger-sized LWIR models.
How compare thermal and Lidar based solutions ? With the presence of Lidar, what could be the extra information that thermal sensor can bring to ADAS system ?
ReplyDeleteLidar is expensive versus passive systems like visible and infrared cameras: lidars require a laser, beam steering, and a detector with high temporal precision. If microbolometers make it to high volume in the automotive market, their sensor cost will likely fall into the $10's range.
DeleteLow angular resolution (less expensive) lidars may also have issues detecting humans at longer ranges, whereas thermal sensors can get natural thermal contrast on humans and animals.
The fact that a human driver can not drive correctly through a thermal camera but do correctly through a CMOS camera demonstrate the non-userfulness of thermal imaging in automotive applications.
DeleteThermal camera is not enough by itself and coupled with a visible light camera can alleviate the inadequate lighting in night time.
Deletehot rock, it brakes and cold rock, it runs inside?
ReplyDeleteJust imagine the missile: hot rock - yeah I run inside... it's only programmers choice :-)
DeleteYeah, I think that this stuff is more useful for kamikaze drone than for cars.
ReplyDeleteHmm, sub-wavelength pixel size but at the same time "successfully maintaining the same performance standards as larger-sized LWIR models". Sounds like the resolution limit is just a suggestion. I will wait for actual NETD figures or even a side by side image comparison to 12 or 17µm bolometers.
ReplyDeleteJH
When the pixels get this small, NETD is not enough. It needs to be divided by the MTF to find MRTD (minimum resolvable temperature difference)
Delete