21 10 月, 2022

Hitachi Astemo Develops Prototype 360-Degree Stereo Vision with Multi-Camera 3D Sensing

TOKYO, Oct 21, 2022 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. has developed a prototype 360-degree stereo vision system for automated vehicles traveling on regular streets. Based on multi-camera 3D sensing, the all-surrounding sensing system is both high-resolution and highly accurate.Most of the current automated driving systems are limited to highway driving. To enable automated driving systems to be used on general roads, they need to accurately recognize the entire road environment around the vehicle, including a complex mix of objects such as pedestrians and bicycles. Radar and LiDAR systems with high-ranging accuracy, however, still face cost issues before they can see widespread adoption, and all-surrounding-area camera systems, which although are superior in terms of cost, are mainly based on a monocular camera that is still continually evolving to improve accuracy and other issues.Hitachi Astemo, together with the Research and Development Division of Hitachi, Ltd., leveraged their strengths in stereo camera technology to develop a prototype of the 360-degree stereo vision system, using multi-camera 3D sensing that enables distance measurement with the stereo camera technology. Instead of the conventional module consisting of two cameras with the same view angle and being nearly parallel to each other, the camera layout has been made more flexible to use a combination of approximately 10 cameras with different angles of view, including non-parallel cameras to provide stereoscopic 3D vision. By integrating multi-camera 3D sensing into a single in-vehicle camera system, the system realizes 360-degree stereo vision, with a cost advantage, high accuracy and resolution.By generating highly accurate distance information in stereo and all around the vehicle, the system can detect such elements as the distance of a vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane, or a two-wheeled vehicle slipping through a line of cars from behind in a traffic jam. It can estimate the relative speed and direction of movement, and apply this information for vehicle control to avoid collisions and entanglement at intersections. In addition to basic object recognition of objects such as cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, and traffic lanes, the recognition function also includes turn signals, red lights, and brake lights to predict the behavior of other vehicles; as well as traffic signals, road signs, road edges, and free space areas available for driving--all of which are necessary to identify for while driving on ordinary roads.Furthermore, Hitachi Astemo has improved reliability and environmental resistance in camera sensing such as features to resist water droplets and dirt adhering to the lens surface, or shielding the entire lens in the snow. The AI has learned malfunction patterns caused by these factors and can identify malfunction factors that occur in each camera, thereby preventing malfunctions.Going forward, Hitachi Astemo will continue to strengthen its 360-degree stereo vision systems that combine cost advantages with high accuracy and resolution, as well as improved reliability and environmental resistance, with the aim to expand the scope of automated driving systems for use on general roads.Hitachi Astemo is committed to strengthening its business and delivering technological innovation through a strategic business portfolio, which consists of the Powertrain & Safety Systems business, Chassis business, Motorcycle business, Software business and Aftermarket business. Aiming for a better environment globally and growth around the pillars of "green," "digital," and "innovation," we will deliver highly efficient internal combustion engine systems; electric systems that reduce emissions; autonomous driving for improved safety and comfort; advanced driver assistance systems; and advanced chassis systems. Through such advanced mobility solutions, we will contribute to realizing a sustainable society and provide enhanced corporate value for our customers.For more information, please visit the Hitachi Astemo website: www.hitachiastemo.com/en/. Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

10 6 月, 2021

InfiRay Releases World’s 1st 8 Micron Thermal Camera Detector

Yantai, China, Jun 9, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - InfiRay has developed the world's 1st 8 micron uncooled thermal camera detector, with a large array (1920 x 1080) and core technologies including a low noise readout circuit, high uniformity VOx film, sub-wavelength optical absorption structure, and small pixel self-heating effect compensation. A higher spatial resolution has been achieved and moving target capture capability improved, all marking important milestones in the technology and development of uncooled thermal camera detectors.InfiRay 8 Micron Wafer over A Real-shot from InfiRay's 8 Micro 1920 x 1080 Thermal Camera ModuleDevelopment History of InfiRay's Infrared TechnologyInfiRay specializes in the research and development of thermal imager technology. Main products include IRFPA thermal camera detectors, thermal camera modules and thermal imagers, well known for their high sensitivity. The products are applied in a wide variety of settings, such as epidemic prevention and control, industrial temperature measurement, security, outdoor night vision, and automotive night vision.As a company focused on technological innovation, InfiRay has maintained half of its staff in R&D and has been awarded with 714 patents over the past 8 years, as well as achieving 8 important iterative thermal upgrades in pixel size, from 35 micron, 25 micron, 20 micron, 17 micron, 14 micron, 12 micron, 10 micron, to 8 micron today.In early 2019, InfiRay released a 10 micron HD thermal camera detector with the world's smallest pixel size, becoming the 2nd company in the world to possess an advanced 10 micron uncooled thermal imager technology. Today, InfiRay refreshes the record again by releasing an 8 micron thermal camera detector, filling the global development gap.In 2020, InfiRay developed the ASIC image processing chip, replacing traditional FPGA thermal imagers with a setup characterized by less volume, lower power consumption and higher performance, able to meet the SWaP3 (Size, Weight, Power Consumption, Performance, and Price) application requirements of a new generation of thermal camera detector.InfiRay Masters Leading 'Ultra Clear' Thermal Imager TechnologyAt the heart of each InfiRay thermal imager is a thermal camera detector which is engraved 'InfiRay(R)', meaning the world's most advanced thermal imager, independently developed by InfiRay. Thus the thermal imager is at work not only providing 'Ultra Clear' thermal images, but detecting farther hot targets.InfiRay's R&D comprises senior engineers experienced in various technological fields including integrated circuits, electronic materials, MEMS sensors, packaging & testing, and thermal imager algorithms. With ongoing research into the VOx materials used in MEMS sensors and thermal camera detectors, InfiRay masters the 'Ultra-Clear' technologies of high-performance thin films and the integrated processes of today's thermal imager industry.InfiRay's 'Matrix III' Patented Image Processing AlgorithmThermal camera detectors capture heat to convert into thermal images, but the absence of an imager lens may result in image unevenness. InfiRay developed Matrix III, an integrated algorithm to enhance original thermal images and improve the visibility and feasibility of object recognition. Matrix III compensates for blind pixels that appear in the imaging process, so final thermal imager can generate superior contrast and completeness, and realize detail and definition processing based on thermal imaging.New Applications with the 8 Micron Thermal Camera Detector?Thermal imagers are tending toward smaller, smarter, and easier to integrate. InfiRay's 8 micron thermal camera detector will drive new demand for thermal imaging applications on mobile phone, AI, IoT (Internet of Things), autonomous driving, consumer electronics, outdoor night vision, smart home, and smart security.InfiRay's P2 Thermal Camera for Smartphone (2021), which can be directly connected to the mobile phone, is ultra-thin (only 9mm) and ultra-light (only 9g). With the new 8 micron era, the sizes of thermal camera detectors have been increasingly reduced. Thus high-definition thermal imagers can be perfectly integrated with mobile phones. Let's look forward to the breakout applications that will follow in our lives.Media ContactEcho Sun, orders@infiray.comW: www.infiray.comT: +86 535 3410616SOURCE: InfiRay Technologies Co., Ltd. Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)