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No more nighttime accidents? A new infrared camera developed by German researchers is capable of detecting humans in low-light conditions, working perfectly day or night. Find out how this technology can save lives!
Road safety is a crucial issue, especially in situations with reduced visibility, such as dense fog or at night. In a promising breakthrough, a team of German researchers has developed an affordable and innovative infrared camera designed for autonomous vehicles that promises to improve safety. road.
The technology, developed in Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF, is capable of detecting thermal radiation emitted by humans, even in low- lighting.
This technological innovation comes at a time when autonomous vehicles are gaining ground and facing the challenge of navigating safely without the supervision of human drivers. The thermal camera can thus complement other detection systems, such as LIDAR and RADAR, which are often less effective in adverse conditions, such as heavy rain or total darkness.
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Technology that detects humans
The great innovation of this infrared camera lies in its ability to operate in the wavelength range of 8 to 14 micrometers. This allows for accurate detection of humans, day and night, making roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
"This technology can significantly improve road safety and prevent accidents”, said Martin Hubold, project manager at the Fraunhofer Institute IOF. Hubold also emphasized that the device offers this security without the need for active lighting, something that many other sensors require.
The camera is the result of the team's extensive experience with multi-aperture systems, which has now been applied to this new device.
The construction is based on small uncooled bolometers, which are economical and efficient. The software used merges the images obtained by these small sensors into a single high-resolution image, currently reaching 530 x 210 pixels, with a field of view of 34 x 13 degrees.
Efficient design and diverse applications
In addition to the human detection technology, the camera’s design is a feat of engineering that deserves to be highlighted. At just 10 millimeters thick, thanks to the use of a catadioptric optical system — a combination of mirrors and prisms — the device is highly compact.
The camera's production was also designed to be scalable, using lithographic methods and materials widely used in the automotive industry, which helps keep manufacturing costs low.
The collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology ISIT was key to making this efficient production process a reality. This approach enables the infrared camera to be manufactured on a large scale, which facilitates its introduction to the market in high volumes and at affordable costs.
Although initially designed for autonomous vehicles, the camera has a much broader range of applications. With a wide horizontal field of view, it is also ideal for driver assistance systems, and can be used in contexts that go far beyond the road.
Hubold highlighted that the device can be applied in firefighting operations, monitoring industrial processes and even controlling heat loss in buildings. This multifunctional potential reinforces the versatility of the technology.
The German innovation promises to transform the transportation sector and beyond, offering greater safety and efficiency in a variety of scenarios. As autonomous vehicles continue to evolve, solutions like this thermal camera show how the technology can help solve critical safety challenges, reducing accidents and saving lives.
The device's affordability and versatility indicate that it could become an essential tool in a variety of industries in the near future.
