Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology is transforming the automotive industry, particularly in the realm of autonomous driving. Acting as the eyes of self-driving vehicles, LiDAR scanners provide crucial real-time 3D perception, enabling cars to “see” and understand their surroundings with unparalleled accuracy. Valeo, a leading automotive supplier, has been at the forefront of this revolution, pioneering automotive-grade LiDAR technology and setting new standards for safety and performance in Lidar Scanner Car systems.
Understanding Automotive LiDAR Technology
Automotive LiDAR functions by emitting laser pulses and measuring the time it takes for these pulses to return after reflecting off objects. This time-of-flight measurement allows the system to calculate the distance to surrounding objects with high precision. By rapidly firing laser pulses and scanning across a wide field of view, a LiDAR scanner car creates a detailed 3D point cloud of its environment.
Unlike traditional sensors like cameras and radar, lidar scanner car systems excel in several key areas:
- Superior Object Detection: LiDAR can detect objects with exceptional accuracy, regardless of lighting conditions. Whether it’s bright sunlight, complete darkness, or challenging weather like fog or rain, LiDAR maintains its robust perception capabilities.
- Precise Distance Measurement: LiDAR provides highly accurate distance measurements, crucial for autonomous vehicles to navigate safely and make informed decisions about speed and braking. This precision is far greater than that offered by cameras or radar alone.
- 3D Environmental Mapping: LiDAR generates a comprehensive 3D map of the vehicle’s surroundings, allowing the car to understand the shape and size of objects, not just their presence. This detailed spatial awareness is vital for complex driving scenarios.
Valeo Scala LiDAR Sensor
Valeo: A Leader in LiDAR Scanner Car Innovation
Valeo’s commitment to innovation has solidified its position as a leader in automotive LiDAR. Their Valeo SCALA™ LiDAR is the first mass-produced, automotive-grade laser scanner, meeting the stringent quality and safety demands of the automotive industry. This pioneering technology has been integrated into production vehicles, marking a significant step towards widespread autonomous driving.
Geoffrey Bouquot, Valeo R&D Director, emphasizes the life-saving potential of this technology: “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.”
Valeo’s third-generation LiDAR technology represents a significant leap forward. It surpasses the limitations of human vision, cameras, and radar, especially in challenging conditions. This advanced lidar scanner car sensor dynamically adjusts to varying light levels, even extreme conditions, and can even assess the density of raindrops to optimize braking distances.
How LiDAR Enhances Self-Driving Capabilities
The Valeo third-generation lidar scanner car system boasts unmatched perception capabilities, scanning its environment 25 times per second. This rapid scanning, combined with a long detection range exceeding 200 meters and a wide field of vision, makes it an exceptional sensor for autonomous vehicles.
Here’s how Valeo’s automotive LiDAR elevates self-driving car functionality:
- Comprehensive Object Detection and Classification: The lidar scanner car system detects, identifies, and categorizes all objects surrounding the vehicle, from vehicles and pedestrians to cyclists and road debris.
- Motion Tracking and Prediction: It accurately measures the speed and direction of moving objects, even those outside the driver’s direct line of sight. Advanced algorithms enable the system to predict the trajectories of these objects, enabling proactive safety maneuvers.
- Enhanced Safety and Collision Avoidance: By providing a detailed and dynamic understanding of the vehicle’s surroundings, LiDAR empowers autonomous driving systems to make safer decisions, protecting both vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users.
- Cloud-Based Hazard Alerts: Beyond its immediate vehicle application, Valeo’s lidar scanner car system can contribute to broader road safety. It can transmit hazard information to the cloud, alerting other vehicles in the vicinity and leveraging its superior perception for the benefit of all road users.
The Essential Role of Automotive LiDAR in Autonomous Driving
Just as human drivers rely on multiple senses, autonomous vehicles require a suite of complementary sensors to navigate safely. Automotive LiDAR is a critical component in this sensor suite, providing a unique and indispensable layer of perception. Valeo, with its extensive portfolio of automotive sensors, recognized early on the vital role of LiDAR and became the first to mass-produce it for series production cars.
Valeo’s leadership is further underscored by the fact that their lidar scanner car systems were chosen for the world’s first Level 3 autonomous vehicles authorized for public roads in 2021. Beyond passenger cars, Valeo LiDAR is also deployed in driverless shuttles, robotaxis, and delivery robots, highlighting its versatility and reliability across various autonomous mobility applications.
Valeo SCALA™: The World’s First Mass-Produced 3D LiDAR
The Valeo SCALA™ automotive LiDAR stands as the world’s first 3D laser scanner specifically designed and manufactured for mass-produced vehicles, meeting the rigorous standards of the automotive industry. This groundbreaking lidar scanner car technology is protected by over 560 patents globally.
Since its introduction in 2017, Valeo has produced over 150,000 units of its laser LiDAR. The second generation entered production in 2021 and is utilized in vehicles like the Honda Legend and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, both pioneers in Level 3 autonomous driving.
Looking ahead, Valeo’s third-generation lidar scanner car technology, slated for release in 2024, promises to further advance autonomous driving capabilities. It will enable vehicles to handle autonomous operation in even more situations, including highway driving at speeds up to 130 km/h, and autonomously manage emergency scenarios at high speeds.
German Manufacturing Excellence for LiDAR Technology
Valeo maintains complete control over the lidar scanner car system development and production, from hardware and software to the integrated artificial intelligence that acts as the “brain” of the system. This comprehensive approach ensures seamless integration and optimized performance. The software is designed for continuous improvement, with over-the-air updates enhancing its capabilities over time.
Valeo’s laser LiDARs are manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility in Wemding, Germany. This plant employs advanced manufacturing techniques and expertise in optics, mechanics, and photonics to achieve micron-level precision in component assembly. Over 300 dedicated engineers are focused solely on Valeo’s automotive LiDAR technology, reflecting the company’s deep commitment to this field and evidenced by over 500 patents filed.
Redundancy and the Future of Safer Mobility
The automotive industry prioritizes safety through redundancy, particularly in autonomous systems. Lidar scanner car technology plays a crucial role in this, often working in conjunction with other sensor types like cameras and radar in a triple redundancy system. This means that critical information is validated by multiple independent sensors, ensuring robust and reliable perception. Valeo offers the broadest portfolio of automotive sensors, enabling comprehensive and redundant sensor solutions for safer autonomous mobility.
Beyond traditional automotive applications, Valeo’s Mobility Kits, incorporating the SCALA™ LiDAR, provide turnkey solutions for developers in emerging mobility sectors. These kits cater to new forms of transportation and mobility demands, extending the benefits of Valeo’s advanced lidar scanner car technology to a wider range of applications.
Valeo SCALA™: Pioneering Autonomous Driving Milestones
Valeo SCALA™ lidar scanner car sensors have been instrumental in achieving six groundbreaking worldwide firsts in autonomous driving, demonstrating the technology’s real-world capabilities:
- 2015: Autonomous Tour de France on dual roadways (Valeo Cruise4U).
- 2016: European tour by autonomous vehicle (Valeo Cruise4U).
- 2016: US tour by autonomous vehicle (Valeo Cruise4U).
- 2016: 24-hour autonomous run on the Paris ring road (Valeo Cruise4U).
- 2018: Japan tour by autonomous vehicle (Valeo Cruise4U).
- 2018: First autonomous vehicle operation in central Paris in 100% autonomous mode (Valeo Drive4U).
- 2021: Honda Legend and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the first Level 3 automated vehicles, both equipped with Valeo LiDAR.
Industry Recognition
Valeo’s pioneering role and market leadership in 3D LiDAR technology have been recognized by Frost & Sullivan, who awarded Valeo the 2022 Global Market Leadership Award for delivering cutting-edge 3D sensors and related perception software to the automotive industry.
Valeo continues to push the boundaries of lidar scanner car technology, driving innovation and paving the way for a safer and more autonomous future of mobility.
