Automotive LiDAR performance verification in fog and rain

Matti Kutila, Pasi Pyykönen, Hanno Holzhüter, Michel Colomb, Pierre Duthon

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

    148 Citations (Scopus)
    1995 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    This article focuses on testing and investigating further development needs for LiDARs in self-driving cars in adverse weather. The article compares two different LiDARs (Ibeo Lux and Velodyne PUCK), which both use the 905 nm wavelengths, which are used in more than 95% of currently available LiDARs. The performance was tested and estimated in stabilized fog conditions at Cerema fog chamber facilities. This provides a good basis for repeating the same validation procedure multiple times and ensuring the right development decisions. However, performance of the LiDARs suffers when the weather conditions become adverse and visibility range decreases. A 50% reduction in target detection performance was observed over the exhaustive tests. Therefore, changing to higher wavelengths (1550 nm) was considered using redesigned 'pre-prototype LiDAR'. The preliminary results indicate that there is no reason to not use 1550 nm wavelength, which due to eye safety regulations gives an opportunity to use 20 times more power compared to the traditional 905 nm. In order to clarify the expected benefits, additional feasibility studies are still needed.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication2018 IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Conference, ITSC 2018
    PublisherIEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
    Pages1695-1701
    ISBN (Electronic)978-1-7281-0323-5, 978-1-7281-0322-8
    ISBN (Print)978-1-7281-0321-1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 10 Dec 2018
    MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
    Event21st International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, ITSC - Maui, United States
    Duration: 4 Nov 20187 Nov 2018
    Conference number: 21

    Conference

    Conference21st International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, ITSC
    Abbreviated titleITSC 2018
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityMaui
    Period4/11/187/11/18

    Keywords

    • LiDAR
    • Automated driving
    • environment perception
    • fog
    • rain penetration

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