Research need and project goals
Lidar is an acronym for “light detection and ranging.” A laser pulse is sent out of a transmitter and the time is measured until light particles which are scattered back from the surrounding objects hit the receiver. This allows to create a 3D representation of the surveyed environment.
Lidar sensors have received much attention in the automotive industry as key components for high level automated driving systems. Compared to other sensing techniques lidar can provide high resolution and highly accurate 3D measurements of the surroundings and robust detection in various weather conditions. Lidar sensors are expected to ensure the safety in automated driving applications such as collision detection, blind spot monitoring, object and pedestrian recognition, and terrain mapping.
Specific problems of current Lidar sensors, which are targeted by the ilids4sam project include:
- Increase field of view, resolution and cost-competitiveness of LiDAR components and systems to enable detailed monitoring, scene understanding and testing.
- Detect, track and classify objects in 3D point clouds and perform hazard assessment by fusing the data with information from several sensors, including radar and cameras.
- Implement use cases in urban traffic, agriculture and rail traffic.
- Facilitate reliable and efficient testing and validation.
Consequently, the overarching objective of the project is to develop novel, cost-effective high resolution wide angle LiDAR sensors, improve related data processing and demonstrate and validate the sensor systems’ effectiveness by implementing selected use cases for advanced driver assistance systems in urban automotive traffic, rail traffic and agriculture.
iLIDS4SAM targets several unique selling points:
- USP1: The compact, robust and fully integrable sensor systems, developed and tested according to pertinent automotive standards, will allow a convenient and inconspicuous integration into existing photonic elements, in particular head- and rear-light housings.
- USP2: The wide field of view provides full 360° surround view with only few LiDAR sensors, including sufficient overlap to reliably prevent blind spots.
- USP3: The use of MEMS technologies and a common LiDAR core platform that can serve various applications and hence be sold in large quantities will provide the iLIDS4SAM sensor with a price advantage.
- USP4: High-performance signal processing will provide the LiDAR sensor with high spatial resolution (0.1°) and additional capabilities, e.g. the ability to detect lane markings.
- USP5: Taking testability into account from the beginning in parallel to the development of advanced LiDAR sensors for series-vehicles ADAS/AD systems gives the sensor a significant advantage over competing systems without this ability with regard to integration in subsequent automated/autonomous driving R&D, positioning the iLIDS4SAM LiDAR as start and reference system.