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

  • Ficosa to join 5G Automotive Association
    February 24, 2017
    Spanish automotive vision technology company Ficosa is to join the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), an association of companies in the telecommunications and automotive sectors working to speed development and marketing of solutions to new connected mobility needs and autonomous vehicles. Ficosa will join companies such as Audi, BMW, Daimler, Vodafone, LG, Ford, Qualcomm, Samsung, Huawei and Valeo and hopes to play a key role in 5GAA to define the future of connected mobility solutions. 5GAA aims to
  • Innoviz & Outsight link on Smart Cities
    December 15, 2022
    Partnership is designed to speed tech adoption in ITS; both firms will be at CES 2023
  • DriveNow London expands car-sharing fleet with EVs
    May 20, 2015
    London’s DriveNow has expanded its car-sharing service with the addition of thirty BMW i3 electric vehicles (EVs). , The BMW/Sixt joint venture offers one-way flexible car-sharing in the North London boroughs of Islington, Hackney, Haringey and Waltham Forest. Following its launch in December 2014, this takes the growing fleet total to 270 vehicles being used across the boroughs, offering residents and businesses a viable alternative to use of private cars with it's on demand, pay per use model. Commentin
  • Global automotive aftermarket boosted by eRetailing, telematics, says research
    July 25, 2017
    Global Automotive Aftermarket Outlook, recent research from Frost & Sullivan, indicates that penetration of eRetailing in the automotive aftermarket is increasing significantly and is expected to cross US$21 billion globally by the end of 2017. The study provides an overview of the global automotive aftermarket and its growth opportunities. Main industry trends, growth prospects, VIO, eRetail dashboards, country snapshots, and opportunities in North America, Europe, China, India and Latin America are provid