3D ULTRASONIC SENSORS FOR AUTOMOTIVE – DEMOCRATIZING 3D VISION THROUGH SOUND | TOPOSENS | Proyecto | Ficha informativa | H2020 | CORDIS

Descripción del proyecto

Capacidad para vigilar el entorno cercano de los coches autónomos

Los coches autónomos representan el futuro del transporte. No obstante, aún es necesario superar ciertos escollos relacionados con la evaluación de los riesgos cercanos. El proyecto financiado con fondos europeos TOPOSENS se propone generar la primera tecnología de sensor ultrasónico tridimensional patentada que permita al automóvil autónomo vigilar su entorno cercano. La tecnología tridimensional del proyecto se basará en una plataforma física que incluirá varios micrófonos y un transductor. En combinación con un algoritmo patentado, los datos se convertirán en una nube de puntos tridimensional y permitirán detectar todos los obstáculos en las inmediaciones del automóvil. Se espera que TOPOSENS modifique las dinámicas de los sistemas avanzados de asistencia al conductor y desplace las tecnologías actuales.

Objetivo

Toposens offers the world’s first patented 3D ultrasonic sensor technology, enabling close-distance environment monitoring, making them suitable for (rear) automatic emergency braking, living object protection around and below the car and autonomous driving applications.

Unlike existing sensor technologies that can be negatively impacted by light conditions, reflections, and weather, Toposens sensors follow the principles of a bat’s echolocation, which can see tiny objects by emitting ultrasonic signals and receiving their reflections. Our 3D close-distance vision technology allows a three-dimensional data output thanks to the hardware setup of Toposens sensors which includes multiple microphones and one transducer. Combined with a patented algorithm the data gets converted into a 3D point cloud (X, Y and Z coordinates in space) and thus allows the detection of all relevant obstacles in the close-range area. Current ultrasonic sensors generate only 1D depth data, no position and are therefore very limited for autonomous technologies. Allowing the highest degrees of autonomy (level 4 or level 5 of autonomous driving), Toposens technology will become an important puzzle piece in the future of mobility.

The biggest advantages of the world’s first 3D Ultrasound Sensor Vision combine robustness, low-cost and precise 3D vision for emerging technologies, highly beneficial for the future of autonomous driving & robotics. The sensor is designed to increase safety while enhancing driving experience. Besides its use for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) systems, automotive applications range from parking assist to autonomous valet parking to passenger monitoring inside the vehicle for increased safety and comfort.

Toposens has the potential to change the dynamics of the Advance Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market over a few years, displacing the state-of-the-art technologies.