Continental launches solid-state 3D flash lidar for commercial vehicles

According to foreign media reports, Continental has developed a new automotive-grade solid-state 3D flash laser radar (Flash LIDAR) HFL110 and is pushing its samples to the commercial vehicle market. This laser radar enhances the strength of Continental's existing autonomous driving ADAS sensor kit and 2D color sensor.

(Photo source: Mainland official website)

In 3D Flash LiDAR, the Smart Pixel Focal Plane Array captures laser pulses for each frame of data, which then transmit distance data and black-and-white video back to the LiDAR sensor. Synchronized 2D sensors can identify whether a traffic light is green or red, and 3D Flash LiDAR can provide an accurate 3D image of the traffic light and show the distance to the traffic light. The combination of these two technologies makes the system more powerful and reliable.

Compared to other radar systems, 3D flash lidar can provide finer optical angle resolution and higher accuracy, especially in dense urban environments including stationary/moving vehicles, buildings, pedestrians and other objects of different sizes. The laser pulses emitted by 3D flash lidar are outside the visible light wavelength and meet the first level human eye safety standards.

The company says the HFL110 sensor delivers detailed and accurate 3D images at up to 330 nanoseconds per frame at any time and in any weather conditions. The new 3D Flash LiDAR HFL110 sensor is designed for close-range detection (approximately 164 feet or less). The sensor is not affected by vibration or velocity distortion and can generate a high-resolution 3D point cloud 25 times per second within a 120-degree field of view. The HFL110 features multiple precise distance measurements and captures 4096 continuous depth data pixels in real time across the entire field of view.

The continuous pixels captured by the HFL110 can tolerate nearby high or low reflectivity surfaces, generate point clouds and/or object lists, define and track the vehicle's environment and moving objects. In addition, the lidar has an integrated heater and an optional automatic cleaning system, and can be combined with Continental's radar and 2D cameras. This innovative high-resolution 3D flash lidar can complement current environmental sensors to achieve highly and fully automated driving.