Safety And Aesthetics: A Combination Without Compromise

A new trend gaining traction in the automotive world is that of providing fully integrated front fascia for electric and autonomous vehicles. These fascia combine various sensors, cameras and lighting technologies to provide an all in one solution for automakers to more easily implement advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in their vehicles. Many of these facia can also be customized to fit into a vehicles design and branding.

The implementation of the various cameras, radar and sensors on vehicles is necessary for the safety of drivers, occupants and pedestrians. There are some limitations however; While LiDar may be able to see through the plastic of the front facia, cameras and some sensors may require openings in the plastic for a clear line of sight. In such cases, the detection of dirty lenses will be critical, as proactive cleaning upon detection of debris on the sensor suite will enable the system to continue to provide full positional awareness and safety. If a sensor is sufficiently dirty, not only is safety compromised, but cleaning becomes less effective.

This is where a separate sensor that is built right into the housing of the sensor suite and can detect the build up of dirt, snow and other debris on facia such as the ones developed by Podium Sensors will play an important role in ensuring the effective operation of ADAS and allow vehicles to continue to navigate our roadways in a safe manner.