Bosch to Work with Sony On New Camera Technology For Autonomous Cars

One phenomenon we have all experienced while driving is that we suddenly experience restricted vision when driving from a darker area like a tunnel into bright sunlight. When there is restricted light, driving becomes difficult and the glare obstructs the view. The same applies to the video sensors that are used for driver assistance systems and automated driving.

To help overcome this obstacle, Bosch has partnered with Sony Semiconductor Solutions. The aim of this collaboration to develop a highly innovative camera technology that will make it possible for cars to sense their surroundings even when the light is poor.

Commenting on the partnership, Gerhard Steiger, president of the Bosch Chassis Systems Control division said that while Bosch would be contributing its automotive knowhow as the biggest automotive supplier in the world to the partnership, Sony Semiconductor Solutions would be contributing its technological expertise as a market leader for image sensors.

In addition to ultrasonic sensors and radar, video sensors play a crucial role in the functioning of driver assistance systems, like road sign recognition, automatic emergency braking for pedestrians, and lane keeping support systems in modern vehicles. The key advantage that video sensors offer is that they can detect objects and the images produced have a huge information density.

For many years, Bosch has been making video sensors in mono and stereo technology which have the capability to provide a 360-degree, all-round view. It is one of the leading suppliers of such sensors in the automotive industry. It is expected that in the automated cars of the future, video sensors will be an integral part of the sensor concept. Thus, cameras will need to operate reliably in all types of light and even when there is a sudden change in lighting conditions from dark to light and vice versa. They must also be able instantaneously sense when there are drastic differences in brightness within a shot.

“Automated driving cars will only be safe on the road if they can accurately sense their surroundings at all times,” said Steiger.