Next-Gen Autonomous Vehicle Testing: The Transition to Software Defined Vehicles & Late Sensors Fusion Through Physically Accurate Sensor Simulation

A review will be given of pedestrian and vulnerable road users (VRUs) detection under diverse lighting conditions. A deep dive into PAEB will show how a cost effective combo of thermal sensor and optical formulation for a thermal imaging camera could look like. A cost roadmap will be shared that will enable to reach most automotive market segments. 

For specific edge cases, such as night time and adverse weather, thermal imaging is a cost effective way to meet the new US and EU vehicle safety requirements. Details will be provided of an optical design in combination with the sensor to address these edge cases, outperforming other sensors, such as visible cameras, radars, and LiDAR. 

We argue that such a thermal imaging camera combined with a visible camera for PAEB systems is the most economical solution to meet new US and European safety regulations.