Continental's new camera makes switching between autonomous driving modes smoother

Recently, according to foreign media reports, automotive parts supplier Continental has developed a new combined camera system that will provide safety protection for switching autonomous driving modes. The system includes an infrared camera inside the car and an external camera, which can not only monitor the driver in real time to determine whether he can take over the vehicle at any time, but also monitor the traffic conditions in front of the vehicle.

Currently, self-driving cars still need human drivers to supervise and be ready to take over, and the safe switch between "autonomous driving" and "manual driving" has become a major challenge. To achieve a safe transition of driving modes, you need a view inside and outside the car, that is, a holistic model of the environment, such as traffic conditions, the behavior of other road users, and the driver's condition. Only when the conditions of both the external environment and the driver inside the car meet the requirements can a safe transfer be made.

“The new camera system will enable even more perfect cooperation between driver and vehicle, which will also increase society’s trust in automated driving,” said Georg Binder, head of strategy and planning at Continental’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems business unit. “People can be confident that the automated car will never suddenly hand over control without warning or if the driver is distracted.”

It is reported that this combined camera system will be installed above the rearview mirror inside the car. The new generation of camera systems are characterized by excellent night vision and high resolution, with 8 million pixel resolution and 125° wide angle, which can even detect objects in cross traffic earlier. Inside the car, the camera can detect the direction of the driver's gaze and whether he has his hands on the steering wheel. The system is considered a prerequisite for self-driving cars to go on the road.