Automotive Engineering - August 2024 - 22

ARE TODAY'S SENSORS READY FOR
next-level automated
driving?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan can use Drive Pilot
on major freeways in California and parts of Nevada.
A look at who's doing what when it comes to sensors for an L3 world.
by John Dinkel
S
AE Level 3 automated driving marks a clear break from the
lower levels of driving assistance since that is the dividing
line where the driver can be freed to focus on other things.
While the driver may sometimes be required to take control
again, responsibility in an accident can be shifted from the driver to
the automaker and suppliers. Only a few cars have met regulatory
approval for Level 3 operation. Thus far, only Honda (in Japan), the
Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS sedans with Drive Pilot and BMW's
recently introduced 7 Series offer Level 3 autonomy.
With more vehicles getting L3 technology and further automated
driving skills being developed, we wanted to check in with some of
the key players in this tech space and hear the latest industry thinking
about best practices for ADAS and AV Sensors.
Towards More Accurate 3D Object Detection
for Robots and Self-Driving Cars
Researchers from Japan's Ritsumeikan University have developed
DPPFA-Net, an innovative network that combines 3D LiDAR and 2D
image data to improve 3D object detection for robots and self-driving
cars. Led by Professor Hiroyuki Tomiyama, the team addressed
challenges in accurately detecting small objects and aligning 2D and
3D data, especially in adverse weather conditions.
DPPFA-Net incorporates three key modules:
* Memory-based Point-Pixel Fusion (MPPF): Enhances robustness
against 3D point cloud noise by using 2D images as a memory bank.
* Deformable Point-Pixel Fusion (DPPF): Focuses on key pixel positions
for efficient high-resolution feature fusion.
22 August 2024
* Semantic Alignment Evaluator (SAE): Ensures semantic
alignment between data representations
during fusion.
The network outperformed existing models in the
KITTI Vision Benchmark, achieving up to 7.18% improvement
in average precision under various noise
conditions. It also performed well in a new dataset
with simulated rainfall.
Ritsumeikan University researchers said this advancement
has significant implications for self-driving
cars and robotics. It could lead to reduced accidents,
improved traffic flow and safety, and enhanced robot
capabilities in various applications. The improvements
in 3D object detection are expected to contribute to
safer transportation, enhanced robot capabilities, and
accelerated development of autonomous systems.
AEVA
Aeva has introduced Atlas, the first 4D lidar sensor
designed for mass-production automotive applications.
Atlas aims to enhance advanced driver assistance
systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving, meeting
automotive-grade requirements.
The company's sensor is powered by two key innovations:
the fourth-generation lidar-on-chip module called
Aeva CoreVision that incorporate all key lidar elements in
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Automotive Engineering - August 2024

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