The advent of autonomous vehicles is rapidly transforming the automotive landscape, promising enhanced safety, efficiency, and convenience. At the heart of this revolution lies a critical technology: the Autonomous Car Laser Scanner, also known as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). This sophisticated sensor acts as the eyes of self-driving cars, providing them with a detailed 3D view of their surroundings, enabling them to navigate and make decisions in real-time.
Pioneering the forefront of automotive innovation, Valeo has emerged as a leader in LiDAR technology. As the first automotive player to mass-produce an automotive-grade LiDAR sensor, Valeo SCALA™, they have set a new industry standard for quality and safety in autonomous driving.
“This third-generation LiDAR from Valeo is a major technological step forward for autonomous vehicles. Valeo is currently the only player on the market mass producing an automotive LiDAR system. This advance strengthens Valeo’s technological and industrial leadership position in that market. The primary objective of this system is to save lives on the road,” states Geoffrey Bouquot, Valeo R&D Director in charge of strategy.
Valeo’s cutting-edge laser scanner technology surpasses the limitations of human vision, cameras, and radar, particularly in challenging driving conditions. Whether it’s bright sunlight, complete darkness, or heavy rain, the LiDAR sensor maintains its perception capabilities, even accurately assessing raindrop density to adjust braking distances – showcasing its crucial role in ensuring safe autonomous navigation.
How Automotive LiDAR Technology Works: The Eyes of Self-Driving Cars
Automotive LiDAR technology functions by emitting rapid pulses of laser light and measuring the time it takes for these pulses to return after reflecting off objects. This process allows the sensor to calculate the distance to objects with remarkable precision, creating a detailed 3D point cloud of the vehicle’s environment.
Valeo’s third-generation LiDAR system exemplifies this advanced capability, scanning the surroundings of a vehicle an impressive 25 times per second. This autonomous car laser scanner boasts an exceptional perception range, extending beyond 200 meters, combined with a wide field of vision. This combination ensures comprehensive environmental awareness for autonomous vehicles.
The sophistication of Valeo’s autonomous car laser scanner extends beyond simple object detection. It is engineered to identify and categorize various objects surrounding the vehicle, including vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and road infrastructure. Furthermore, it measures the speed and direction of moving objects, even tracking vehicles that move out of the immediate field of vision. Equipped with advanced algorithms, the LiDAR system can predict the trajectories of moving objects, enabling the autonomous vehicle to proactively execute necessary safety maneuvers.
This comprehensive perception capability of autonomous car laser scanners is paramount for ensuring the safety of not only vehicle occupants but also vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Beyond individual vehicle benefits, Valeo’s LiDAR technology is designed to contribute to a safer road ecosystem by sharing hazard information with other vehicles via cloud connectivity, leveraging its superior perception for collective safety enhancement.
Valeo: Leading the Way in Automotive LiDAR and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Automotive LiDAR: An Indispensable Sensor for Autonomous Driving
Just as human drivers rely on a combination of senses, autonomous vehicles depend on a suite of complementary sensors to ensure safe operation. Among these, the autonomous car laser scanner stands out as a critical component for achieving higher levels of autonomy. Valeo, with its extensive portfolio of automotive sensors, recognized this early on, becoming the first to bring an automotive-grade LiDAR sensor to mass production.
In 2021, a significant milestone was reached when the first two vehicles globally authorized for Level 3 autonomy were equipped with Valeo’s first and second-generation LiDAR systems. This real-world deployment underscores the reliability and maturity of Valeo’s autonomous car laser scanner technology. Beyond passenger vehicles, Valeo’s LiDAR is also being deployed in driverless shuttles, robotaxis, and delivery robots, showcasing its versatility across various autonomous mobility applications.
The World’s First Mass-Produced 3D LiDAR System for Self-Driving Cars: Valeo SCALA™
Valeo SCALA™ represents a groundbreaking achievement as the first 3D autonomous car laser scanner to be mass-produced for vehicles, meeting the rigorous standards of the automotive industry. This innovative sensor system is protected by an extensive portfolio of 560 patents worldwide, reflecting Valeo’s commitment to innovation and intellectual property in this domain.
Since its market introduction in 2017, over 150,000 units of Valeo’s laser LiDAR have been manufactured, demonstrating its market acceptance and production scalability. Production of the second-generation LiDAR technology commenced in 2021, further advancing the technology’s capabilities. Notably, the Honda Legend, the first vehicle globally approved for SAE Level 3 automated driving, utilizes Valeo LiDAR scanners, alongside other Valeo sensors, highlighting the technology’s role in achieving advanced autonomy. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the second Level 3 certified vehicle, also incorporates Valeo SCALA™ Gen2 laser scanner technology.
Looking ahead, Valeo’s third-generation autonomous car laser scanner, slated for market release in 2024, promises to further elevate autonomous driving capabilities. It will enable vehicles to handle autonomous driving in even more scenarios, including highway driving at speeds up to 130 km/h. This advancement signifies a major step towards truly hands-off driving experiences, even in demanding high-speed environments.
German Manufacturing Excellence and Technological Depth
Valeo’s commitment to quality and innovation is evident in its vertically integrated approach. The company designs and manufactures the entire LiDAR system in-house, encompassing hardware, software, and the associated artificial intelligence that acts as the “brain” of the sensor system. This comprehensive control allows for seamless integration and optimization of all components. The software powering Valeo’s autonomous car laser scanner is designed for continuous improvement, adapting to diverse environments and enhancing performance through over-the-air updates.
Manufacturing of Valeo’s laser LiDARs takes place at a state-of-the-art plant in Wemding, Germany. This facility exemplifies precision manufacturing, with assembly processes measured down to the micron level. The production lines leverage advanced expertise in optics, mechanics, and photonics, reflecting the complex and sophisticated nature of LiDAR technology. Valeo has dedicated a team of 300 engineers exclusively to autonomous car laser scanner technology, further underscoring its commitment to this field. This dedicated team has already generated over 500 patents, highlighting Valeo’s strong innovation pipeline in LiDAR.
Valeo Scala LiDAR Sensor
Triple Redundancy and Mobility Kits: Expanding the Reach of LiDAR Technology
To ensure the utmost safety in autonomous vehicles, the automotive industry employs triple redundancy systems. This critical safety measure mandates that every piece of information from a sensor must be validated by two other sensors of different types. Valeo’s broad sensor portfolio enables them to effectively implement this triple redundancy principle, contributing to safer autonomous systems.
Beyond automotive applications, Valeo’s Mobility Kits extend the benefits of their LiDAR technology to new forms of mobility. These kits combine Valeo’s innovation and technological prowess into plug-and-play systems, incorporating Valeo SCALA™ LiDAR. They provide turnkey solutions for players in emerging mobility sectors, meeting the stringent demands of the automotive industry and accelerating innovation in diverse applications.
Six World Firsts Powered by Valeo SCALA™ Autonomous Car Laser Scanner
The capabilities of Valeo SCALA™ autonomous car laser scanner have been validated through six groundbreaking world-first experiments in autonomous driving:
- 2015: Autonomous Tour de France on dual roadways with Valeo Cruise4U.
- 2016: European tour by the Valeo Cruise4U vehicle.
- 2016: US tour by the Cruise4U vehicle.
- 2016: 24-hour autonomous trial on the Paris ring road by Valeo Cruise4U.
- 2018: Tour of Japan by Valeo Cruise4U.
- 2018: First autonomous vehicle operation in central Paris in 100% autonomous mode with Valeo Drive4U, exclusively using series-produced sensors.
- 2021: Honda Legend and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the first Level 3 automated cars, both equipped with Valeo LiDAR.
These achievements underscore the real-world viability and advanced capabilities of Valeo’s autonomous car laser scanner technology in enabling increasingly sophisticated levels of autonomous driving.
Conclusion: Valeo – Driving the Future of Autonomous Mobility with Laser Scanner Technology
Valeo’s pioneering work in autonomous car laser scanner technology, particularly with the Valeo SCALA™ series, has solidified its position as a market leader in automotive LiDAR and a key enabler of autonomous driving. From being the first to mass-produce automotive-grade LiDAR to powering world-first autonomous vehicle demonstrations and deployments, Valeo continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in autonomous mobility. Their commitment to innovation, quality manufacturing, and comprehensive system design positions Valeo at the forefront of the autonomous revolution, driving towards a safer and more efficient future of transportation.
Frost & Sullivan has recognized Valeo’s leadership, awarding them the 2022 Global Market Leadership Award as a pioneer and key player in 3D LiDAR technology. This accolade further validates Valeo’s significant contribution to the advancement of autonomous car laser scanner technology and its pivotal role in shaping the future of autonomous driving.
