Infrared thermal imaging sensors will play an important role in autonomous vehicles. If this technology is applied on a large scale in the automotive field, it will lay a solid foundation for the future of autonomous vehicles.

Jung Young-hyun, director of product development for automotive components at camera module manufacturer Mcnex, said that infrared thermal imaging sensors will play a greater role in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and future autonomous vehicles.

It is reported that compared with several types of sensors such as lidar, camera, and millimeter wave radar, the image resolution captured by infrared thermal imaging sensing technology is higher. Because pedestrians, animals, etc. emit heat, thermal imaging sensing technology can easily distinguish them, and is not affected by complex environmental conditions such as day and night, strong light, shadow, and haze.

Infrared thermal imaging sensors are mainly used to detect the heat emitted by objects, so this technology is more effective in detecting obstacles at different depths on the road.

Jung said that infrared thermal imaging sensors can be paired with secondary fiber optic sensors on seat belts and car seats to check the status of drivers or passengers. For example, it can detect the temperature of the driver’s face to check if they are drowsy. In addition, infrared thermal imaging sensors can also be used to control the air conditioning in the car.

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