The Importance of Sensor Cleanliness in Vehicles
While billions of dollars are being invested into self-driving cars, automakers still have a ways to go in order to reach level 5 autonomy.
A persistent issue in increasing autonomy of self-driving cars has been that of sensor cleanliness. All sensors and cameras operated on any vehicle need to be clean so the vehicle can sense its surroundings with clear sight-lines. Autonomous vehicle sensors such as LiDAR, radar and cameras are good at detecting obstacles on the roadway. The dirt, sand, insects and other debris that accumulate naturally on vehicles as they are being driven can impede sensor and camera sight-lines compromising safety.
The prevalence of this issue has resulted in the beginnings of an industry focused entirely on devices that can clean sensors and their housings. Google for example has developed a LiDAR housing cleaner that uses a system of wipers and washer fluid to ensure that the housing is clean.
A shortfall of these technologies is the ability to accurately determine when a sensor, camera or entire housing needs to be cleaned.
Podium Automotive has developed a low cost sensor which does just that. When paired with cleaning devices, Podium’s sensor is able to accurately detect the presence of an obstruction on a vehicle’s camera or sensor suite. Combined with the built-in cleaning systems on the vehicle, the array of camera and sensors used in the vehicle can be operated at full efficacy, 100% of the time, in all weather conditions. The implications for safety of occupants and pedestrians is significant.
This sensor is effective not only for sand and dirt, but for all debris including insects, bird droppings and even ice and snow in winter climates.
Podium Automotive is currently looking to license this IP to Tier 1 suppliers and automakers who have an unobscured vision of working towards reaching level 5.
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