Night vision | Autonomous Ride

Night vision camera systems

Night vision camera systems in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are designed to enhance driver visibility and safety during low-light conditions, such as nighttime driving. These systems use infrared technology to detect and display objects on the road that may be difficult to see with the naked eye in the dark.

Here's a brief overview of how a night vision camera system in ADAS typically works:

Infrared Sensors: Night vision systems use infrared sensors or cameras to capture thermal images of the surrounding environment. Infrared sensors can detect heat emitted by objects, even in complete darkness.
Image Processing: The captured thermal images are processed by onboard computer systems. These systems analyze the data to identify and differentiate between various objects on the road, such as pedestrians, animals, or other vehicles.
Display: The processed information is then displayed on the vehicle's dashboard or heads-up display, providing the driver with a clearer view of the road ahead. Some systems use a black-and-white or grayscale display to highlight temperature differences and make objects more distinguishable.
Warnings and Alerts: In certain situations, the night vision system may issue warnings or alerts to the driver if it detects potential hazards. For example, it might alert the driver to the presence of pedestrians or animals in the vehicle's path.

The primary goal of night vision camera systems in ADAS is to improve overall safety by helping drivers identify potential risks and obstacles in low-visibility conditions. While these systems can be beneficial, they are not a substitute for the driver's attentiveness, and drivers should always remain vigilant and responsive while driving, regardless of the assistance systems in place. Night vision technology is just one component of a broader set of ADAS features aimed at enhancing vehicle safety and reducing the risk of accidents.

Night vision camera systems are an important component of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that help drivers navigate in low-light conditions. There are several technologies that can be used for night vision in ADAS, including infrared, lidar, and time-of-flight imaging 1. Thermal imaging is another technology that is gaining popularity in ADAS. It can detect heat signatures and provide a clear view of the road ahead, even in complete darkness 2.Thermal cameras can be used to identify pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, and other road objects. They can also spot large animals in the thermal video stream, just as they do for images obtained by conventional cameras using visible light, from radar, and from lidar units 2.Teledyne FLIR produces the only automotive-qualified thermal camera in cars today. Through Tier 1 automotive supplier Veoneer, more than 700,000 cars have reliable night vision with pedestrian and animal detection 1.

Night vision systems enable drivers to see things that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to see at night. There are two categories of night vision implementations: Active night vision systems project infrared light, and passive systems rely on the thermal energy that comes from cars, animals, and other objects 3.

Cameras have become one of the most important sensors in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD) vehicles. There are different ways to categorize cameras in ADAS/AD vehicles based on the camera’s placement, application, and technology. Most camera systems consist of hardware components that compose the camera module and image processing components that control the hardware and perform digital operations on captured images. An overview of camera systems, hardware, image processing, and product development processes is introduced in this chapter.An automotive night vision system uses a thermographic camera to increase a driver's perception and seeing distance in darkness or poor weather beyond the reach of the vehicle's headlights. Such systems are offered as optional equipment on certain premium vehicles. The technology was first introduced in the year 2000 on the Cadillac Deville. This technology is based on the night vision devices (NVD), which generally denotes any electronically enhanced optical devices operate in three modes: image enhancement, thermal imaging, and active illumination. The automotive night vision system is a combination of NVDs such as infrared cameras, GPS, Lidar, and Radar, among others to sense and detect objects.

Display type

Instrument cluster using a high resolution liquid-crystal display (LCD), newest type navigation system or information screen, least expensive and with display's location further away from driver's field of vision (used exclusively by BMW, and the W212 E-class) windshield via head-up display, earliest type, dimmer knob can reduce brightness, display nearest to driver's line of sight.There are two types of systems, either passive or active systems, both have advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other. The passive system pertains to the technologies that detect thermal radiation emitted by humans, animals, and other objects in the road while the active systems illuminate objects as a significant distance ahead using infrared light source

Active systems
Active systems use an infrared light source built into the car to illuminate the road ahead with light that is invisible to humans. There are two kinds of active systems: gated and non-gated. The gated system uses a pulsed light source and a synchronized camera that enable long ranges (250m) and high performance in rain and snow.Near Infrared wavelength is 0.75–1.4 µm is smaller and can pass between the typical fog particles. Fog particles sizes are typically 10 to 15 microns and ranges is sizes from 1 to 100 microns.[6] Far infrared has a wavelength of 15 micrometers (µm) to 1 mm. During night-time operations, police officers with range gated near infrared cameras can read license plates at a distance of up to 1.2 km.[7] Near Infrared (NIR) cameras are available to see 50 km through fog, haze, smoke, rain.[8]

Pros: higher resolution image, superior picture of inanimate objects, works better in warmer conditions, smaller sensor can be mounted to rearview mirror.Cons: does not work as well in fog or rain, lower contrast for animals, shorter range of 150–200 meters or 500–650 feet
Mercedes-Benz Night View Assist infrared projector visible next to Bi-Xenon HID main headlight, Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221)
Night View Assist prototype was shown in 2003 on the Mercedes-Benz F500 concept.Series production Night View Assist system introduced in 2005 on the redesigned Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221). It was the first system to use the instrument cluster's LCD as a display.
2009: Night View Assist Plus added a pedestrian detection function calling the revised system on the redesigned Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212) and refreshed S-class, however, the E-class uses the navigation screen's display.
2011: Night View Assist Plus with Spotlight Function premiere: the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (C216) became the first series production car with night vision-guided pedestrian spotlighting (HID version) can flash at any pedestrians it detects in order to warn both the driver and the pedestrians. The flashing light is directed in such a way that vehicles in front and oncoming traffic are not dazzled.
2013: Night View Assist Plus with animal detection on the W222 S-Class

Playback from the Volvo's self-driving system data at 1.3 seconds before impact. Distances shown in meters. Image courtesy of the National Transportation Safety Board

How does night vision camera works
Night vision cameras use different technologies to see in the dark. The most common technology used in security cameras is infrared (IR) night vision 1. IR night vision works by emitting infrared light that is outside the visible spectrum of human eyes but can be detected by specialized sensors in the camera called CCD (Charge-Coupled Devices) 2. When it gets dark out, the IR lights turn on and act as a flood light of sorts, dousing the camera’s field of view with infrared light 1. The thing is, infrared light is completely invisible to the naked eye. So it doesn’t look like a bright light is flooding the area from the outside, but it actually is—your eyes just can’t see it 1.

Another technology that is gaining popularity in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is thermal imaging 1. Thermal cameras can detect heat signatures and provide a clear view of the road ahead, even in complete darkness 3. Thermal cameras can be used to identify pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, and other road objects. They can also spot large animals in the thermal video stream, just as they do for images obtained by conventional cameras using visible light, from radar, and from lidar units ra work

What are key components of night vision camera in ADAS car

Teledyne FLIR produces the only automotive-qualified thermal camera in cars today. Through Tier 1 automotive supplier Veoneer, more than 700,000 cars have reliable night vision with pedestrian and animal detection

The key components of a night vision camera system in an ADAS car depend on the technology used. For example, an infrared night vision system typically consists of an infrared light source, a lens, and a CCD sensor 3.
The infrared light source illuminates the area in front of the car with infrared light, which is reflected back to the camera by objects in the field of view. The lens focuses the reflected light onto the CCD sensor, which converts the light into an electrical signal that is processed by the camera’s image processor 3.

Thermal imaging cameras, on the other hand, use a different set of components. They use a special type of sensor called an uncooled microbolometer to detect heat signatures. The sensor is made up of an array of tiny pixels that detect the temperature of the objects in the camera’s field of view 2. The camera’s image processor then converts the temperature data into an image that can be displayed on a screen 2.
Advantage of the night vision camera

In comparision to regular camera the range of the object detection is increased signigifantly.

The smart system senses small differences in temperature to show objects at extended ranges. Enhanced analytics help drivers see beyond their headlights – up to 200 metres in good weather – and alerts them to potential dangers in total darkness and other low visibility conditions including fog and blinding on-coming headlights.

what are key components inside infrared or night vision camera for ADAS

Infrared or night vision camera systems for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) consist of several key components to enable effective performance in low-light conditions. Here are the key components commonly found in such systems:

Infrared Sensors or Cameras:
- Sensor Technology: Infrared sensors are essential components that detect infrared radiation emitted by objects. These sensors are often based on technologies like complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) or charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors.
Lens System:
- Infrared Lens: A specialized lens that allows infrared light to pass through. This lens is designed to focus infrared radiation onto the sensor, improving the camera's ability to capture thermal images in low-light conditions.
Image Processing Unit:
- Image Processor: The captured infrared images need to be processed to extract meaningful information. An image processor analyzes the data and enhances the visibility of objects, such as pedestrians, animals, or other vehicles.
Display System:
- Dashboard Display or Heads-Up Display (HUD): The processed information is typically presented to the driver on the vehicle's dashboard or through a heads-up display. The display may show enhanced images, highlighting potential obstacles or hazards.
Software Algorithms:
- Object Recognition and Classification Algorithms: Sophisticated algorithms are employed to identify and classify objects detected by the infrared camera. This includes distinguishing between pedestrians, vehicles, and other potential obstacles.
Alerting System:
- Warning and Alerting Mechanism: When potential hazards are detected, the system may issue warnings or alerts to the driver. This can be in the form of visual alerts on the display, auditory warnings, or haptic feedback.
Integration with ADAS:
- Connectivity and Integration: The night vision system needs to be seamlessly integrated into the overall ADAS architecture. This integration allows for coordinated functioning with other ADAS features, such as collision avoidance systems, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning systems.
Power Supply:
- Power Management: Efficient power management is crucial for these systems to ensure continuous and reliable operation. Night vision cameras may have specific power requirements to function optimally.

These components work together to provide drivers with improved visibility during low-light conditions, enhancing overall safety by helping to identify potential risks and obstacles on the road. Advanced night vision systems are an integral part of the broader spectrum of ADAS technologies that aim to enhance driving safety and reduce the likelihood of accidents.

Using infrared technology to detect deer or other objects in the night offers several advantages:

Detection in Low-Light Conditions:

Infrared cameras can capture thermal radiation emitted by objects, allowing them to function in complete darkness. This is particularly useful for detecting deer on roads or in areas with limited ambient light.
Improved Visibility:

Infrared technology enhances visibility by highlighting temperature differences. This allows the camera to distinguish between the thermal signatures of deer and the surrounding environment, making them more visible to the driver.
Reduced Dependency on Visible Light:

Traditional cameras rely on visible light to capture images. Infrared cameras, on the other hand, can operate independently of the available light, making them effective in scenarios where visible light may be insufficient.
Early Warning for Drivers:

Infrared cameras can detect the presence of warm-blooded animals like deer at a distance. This early detection provides drivers with more time to react and take appropriate measures, such as slowing down or avoiding potential collisions.
Minimization of False Alarms:

Infrared technology is less susceptible to false alarms caused by shadows, reflections, or other visual artifacts that may be present in traditional visible light cameras. This can contribute to a more reliable detection system.
Enhanced Object Recognition:

Infrared cameras can better differentiate between objects based on their thermal characteristics. This can help in accurately identifying deer from other potential obstacles on the road.
Integration with ADAS:

Infrared technology can be integrated into Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), providing an additional layer of safety by enhancing the capabilities of collision avoidance and warning systems, especially during nighttime driving.It's important to note that while infrared technology offers these advantages, it is not a standalone solution. It is often used in conjunction with other ADAS technologies and driver assistance systems to provide comprehensive safety features. Additionally, drivers should always exercise caution and adhere to safe driving practices, even when assisted by technology, to ensure road safety.

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