Skip to main content

Half of top OEMs work on LiDAR technology for ADAS

Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology, as part of an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) sensor suite, will be mostly deployed for active safety functions with only 29 per cent fitted for fully automated driving purposes by 2021, according to Frost & Sullivan. Out of the top 13 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), seven are working on automated driving passenger vehicles using a LiDAR. Frost & Sullivan’s latest analysis, LIDAR-based Strategies for Active Safety and Automated Driving from M
October 13, 2015 Read time: 3 mins
Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology, as part of an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) sensor suite, will be mostly deployed for active safety functions with only 29 per cent fitted for fully automated driving purposes by 2021, according to 2097 Frost & Sullivan. Out of the top 13 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), seven are working on automated driving passenger vehicles using a LiDAR.

Frost & Sullivan’s %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal latest analysis Visit latest analysis page false http://www.frost.com/mb42 false false%>, LIDAR-based Strategies for Active Safety and Automated Driving from Major OEMs in Europe and North America, finds that the LiDAR-enabled passenger vehicle market earned revenues of $51.1 million in 2014 and estimates this to reach US$141.0 million in 2021.

The need to deploy improved sensors that support active safety and automated driving in future passenger vehicles has driven the European and North American automotive industry towards exploring LiDAR technology. Compared to other products on the market, LiDAR is a better sensor in terms of object detection and mapping in low-visibility conditions. The use of reflective infrared lasers to capture data and the independence from ambient light enables LiDAR to perceive objects the same way in a wide range of conditions.

“Legislations have been passed in parts of North America in support of the use of LiDAR technology in vehicles to enable automated driving,” said Frost & Sullivan Automotive & Transportation senior research analyst, Anirudh Venkitaraman. “While this has encouraged adoption in the region, the higher cost of LiDAR systems when compared with other sensors has been a major constraint for growth.”

The European and North American markets do offer some cost-effective LiDAR solutions but they have a resolution that is poor-to-modest at best. Reliability issues also plague these systems as they consist of a few moving parts.

Other problems associated with LiDAR systems are its limited range and packaging constraints. The average LiDAR system available on the market can scan up to 100 metres ahead with limited reflectivity. This, however, is inferior to camera-based systems, which provide a range up to 500 metres.

“As LiDAR technology is still in its nascent stages, achieving market acceptance will take some time,” noted Venkitaraman. “Once the future generation of technologically-advanced, affordable LiDARs hit the market shelves towards 2020, the end-user market will be more willing to invest in these products.”

OEMs in Europe and North America are rigorously working with tier-one suppliers to create an advanced LiDAR solution for use in passenger vehicles. Those OEMs tying up with tier-one suppliers to develop LiDAR systems for automated driving vehicles will manage successful and faster introduction of their products.

Related Content

  • January 25, 2016
    USDOT sponsors new connected vehicle webinars
    The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is sponsoring three webinars to assist the Connected Vehicle Pilot sites, early installers and other interested stakeholders, as part of the Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program Technical Assistance Webinar series, which began last month. The Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program seeks to combine connected vehicle and mobile device technologies in innovative and cost-effective ways. Ultimately, this program will improve traveller mobility and syste
  • December 20, 2017
    UK freight trains to be upgraded with European Train Control Systems
    Network Rail has contracted Siemens Rail Automation to install European Train Control System (ETCS) in-cab signalling on 750 of the UK's heaviest locomotives to improve safety and provide better use of the network with plans to retrofit the entire fleet in 2022. This technology forms part of the country's Digital Railway programme, and the government has invested £450m ($602m) as part of its National Productivity Fund. For the first phase, Siemens will install its Trainguard 200 (T200) ETCS on-board
  • March 3, 2014
    Backlit weatherproof safety sign works without power
    Italian company Insico (INnovation SIgn Consulting) will feature its backlit waterproofed safety sign innovation at Intertraffic Amsterdam 2014. Developed to improve safety signs, it uses an active system based on light diffusion technology and a passive system, in the case of sudden loss of electricity, with the use of special retro-reflective semi-transparent films. The device can be manufactured in different sizes, graphics and colours and is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
  • September 7, 2014
    Q-Free focuses on all aspects on road operations
    As visitors to the Q-Free booth at the ITS World Congress Detroit will see, the company has transformed its portfolio, shifting from a predominant focus on tolling to cover all aspects of road operations – financing, condition monitoring, real-time management and emerging cooperative ITS applications.