Skip to main content

Fully autonomous vehicles ‘spur LiDAR sensors mass adoption’

Cost-effective, high-resolution light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors capable of long-range object detection will be necessary for high to fully-automated driving applications. Demand for 3D mapping and imaging, better overall performance, automated processing of graphic data gathering and self-sufficient sensor with best-in-class performance in low-visibility conditions are factors driving the development and adoption of LiDAR sensors within the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) sensor suite
January 26, 2017 Read time: 3 mins
Cost-effective, high-resolution light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors capable of long-range object detection will be necessary for high to fully-automated driving applications. Demand for 3D mapping and imaging, better overall performance, automated processing of graphic data gathering and self-sufficient sensor with best-in-class performance in low-visibility conditions are factors driving the development and adoption of LiDAR sensors within the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) sensor suite for automated passenger vehicles.

According to 2097 Frost & Sullivan’s latest report, Automotive LiDAR Market for ADAS and Automated Driving, short-range LiDAR for autonomic emergency braking (AEB) is predominant in Japan and Europe. North America prefers to use radar and camera-based AEB, while Korea has high penetration of sensor fusion AEB.

“Most original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will use LiDAR as a complement to camera and radar until a robust sensing solution is achieved,” said Frost & Sullivan Intelligent Mobility senior analyst Anirudh Venkitaraman. “Consolidation in the market has led to the emergence of a few major players such as Ibeo-ZF, 84 Leddartech-8036 Valeo, Quanergy-Delphi, and ASC-Continental that will play a crucial role in technology development. This will enable cost-effective, solid-state LiDAR development for mass adoption post 2025.”

In the next four years, Frost & Sullivan believes there is a possibility of commoditisation of level-2 automation with volume OEMs, such as 278 Ford, 1684 Hyundai, and 948 General Motors, introducing the technology in some of their premium offerings.

Leading players have adopted a variety of roadmaps for LiDAR:

1731 BMW is initially expected to introduce the city and highway pilot features, along with fully automated parking by 2022 on the i-8, 7-Series, and i-5. 1685 Mercedes-Benz is expected to introduce a level-3 highway pilot and an improved parking feature with the E-Class in 2017. Commercialisation of level-3 features in Ford vehicles is expected in 2025 or later, General Motors wants level-4 automation with Cadillac by 2025. 1686 Toyota is advocating intelligent systems to aid drivers, but is hesitant on committing to a fully autonomous driving timeline

After introducing an automated vehicle with LiDAR, Google is expected to compete against top OEMs in the North American market

“Mechanical LiDARs will be the only LiDAR solution enabling automated driving applications until solid-state LiDARs become the standard closer to 2020,” noted Venkitaraman. “When deployed, solid-state LIDARs will be used for level-3 and level-4 autonomous driving features like lane keeping and highway auto pilot applications, forcing the phasing out of mechanical systems by 2025.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Long range radar aids wide area traffic monitoring
    March 16, 2012
    Applications of long range radar technology are demonstrating its effectiveness as a first line of defence for highway managers – adding greater resilience and capability to existing systems. Development efforts are bringing long range millimetric wave radar to the fore as a very useful tool for managers of highway networks. Application of radar for wide area monitoring in traffic management remains in its infancy. But recent projects are demonstrating how it can now serve to enhance detection of incidents
  • ITS America Annual Meeting Detroit Demonstrations
    May 25, 2018
    Live demonstrations have always been a key component of every ITS America Annual Meeting and this year is no exception. A packed programme on local streets, in the car park and the exhibition hall, will provide delegates with unrivalled opportunities to see ground-breaking technology and systems in action.
  • Lidar: the consolidation conundrum
    March 12, 2024
    There has been a great deal of flux and restructuring over the last few years in the Lidar market – what drives this and where will it end? Only one way to find out: Adam Hill asks the experts
  • Toyota demos its Cooperative ITS technologies in Detroit
    September 7, 2014
    Toyota is giving attendees at the 2014 ITS World Congress a preview of its Cooperative ITS initiative, an effort to build automated driving technology that notifies drivers of real-time information captured through communications between vehicles and with sensors installed on roadways.