LG Innotek develops self-heating camera module for self-driving cars

On February 20, South Korea's LG Innotek announced that it has developed a cutting-edge self-heating camera module designed specifically for self-driving cars that can quickly remove frost and snow from the lens.

Image source: LG Innotek

The self-heating camera is an enhanced version of the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) camera, equipped with a heater to solve problems caused by frost or snow accumulation on the lens in extremely cold weather conditions.

Automakers consider self-heating cameras crucial to ensuring safe autonomous driving, as an obstructed lens could result in an inability to detect surrounding obstacles, potentially leading to a serious accident.

LG Innotek的高性能加热摄像头模块最大功耗为4W，与现有模块相比显著降低了功耗。与传统模块相比，新镜头除霜时间也缩短了一半。据该公司称，在低至零下18℃的极端温度下进行的实验中，LG Innotek的模块能够在短短四分钟内将冻结的镜头恢复到室温分辨率，而传统产品平均需要八分钟。

The module uses high-efficiency PTC materials that automatically adjust the current to maintain the optimal temperature when the temperature exceeds a certain level. This innovative technology allows the heater to be placed in the lower part of the lens, which is the best location for rapid snow and frost removal without the risk of overheating and lens performance degradation.

Image source: LG Innotek

LG Innotek emphasizes that by adopting world-class precision optical design and camera module assembly technology, the new module can overcome the limitations of previous use of thermal conductive materials. Integrating the lens and heater into a single module also improves design flexibility. The company claims that the camera module is similar in size to conventional modules and can be easily retrofitted into existing locations without additional design changes.

The high-performance heated camera module was first unveiled at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show in January. LG Innotek is actively promoting the product to global customers with the goal of achieving mass production by 2027.