Innovative Sensors for Intelligent Road Safety Systems

Researchers in the European Union are developing next-generation, intelligent safety systems for safe and affordable vehicle driving. The project 'Reliable application specific detection of road users with vehicle on-board sensors' (ADOSE) has been funded under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme.

The project focused on developing new sensors that can be incorporated into on-board safety systems in vehicles. Five sensing technologies were adopted to build the prototypes and some of these sensors have been tested and validated.

Night vision systems for vehicles are presently expensive and are available for high-end cars. The researchers have developed a Far Infrared imager along with a batch molding process that reduces cost of crucial parts in car night vision systems.

The second device developed is a 'multi-functional optical sensor' (MFOS) that is capable of measuring environmental parameters, including rain and fog. A cost-effective plastic optical light guide that is linked to a standard 'complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor' imager forms the basis for the MFOS device.

A cost-effective 3D range camera (3DCAM) has been developed for pre-crash warning systems. This device has the capability to identify and also measure the distance to oncoming vehicles and other objects that travel at high speeds.

The fourth device is a radar system that can locate obstacles and clearly identify people on the road who have active or passive transponders with them.

A novel cost-effective 'silicon retina stereo sensor' (SRS) that can detect objects that move rapidly, is another innovation. It is based on a 'stereo-matching' technique inspired by biological processes. It also enables users to judge distances.

These technologies are under development and have generated considerable commercial interest.

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