Hamburg-based Ibeo Automotive Systems has commissioned ZF to produce its ibeoNEXT lidar system, including the system’s electronic control unit. The first production units are due to be delivered to customers worldwide from October 2020, including Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor, where the system will feature in the manufacturer’s premium SUV model, the Wey, due for series production from 2022.
The company states that its lidar sensor is based on a new type of solid-state, photon laser measurement technology. With no moving parts, the sensor is said to be more robust and thus less affected by environmental influences and vibrations than traditional lidar systems.
It operates by processing many laser pulses in parallel, meaning the sensor can generate a high-resolution 3D model of its environment in real time, with the capability to recognize crash barriers and road markings as well as vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians along with their position and movement.
Commenting on the commission, Aine Denari, senior vice president and general manager of ZF’s Electronics and Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) Division, said. “We are convinced that lidar systems are a key technology for automated and particularly, autonomous driving, as they provide high-resolution 3D point clouds of their surroundings.
“And thanks to their laser technology, they function effectively under difficult weather conditions. At ZF, we consistently use lidar from Level 4 in our sensor set to help enhance safety and comfort from Level 2 on.”