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Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

Valeo unveiled its latest innovations in driver assistance systems and self-driving vehicles at its Investor Day. The limitations in perception of household sensors are constantly being pushed back, be it for Valeo's second-generation SCALA LiDar, single-lens cameras that can determine distances, or ultrasonic detectors that now operate concealed behind bumper covers. In addition to the intrinsic performance of these devices, the quality of their measurements can also be maintained at a high level by a number of automatic cleaning solutions. Valeo also offers innovative in-vehicle detection systems.

Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles



External sensors

SCALA LiDar



Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

First-generation SCALA LiDar

SCALA was created by Valeo, the first OEM to market a LiDar laser scanner. The features of Valeo's second-generation SCALA are presented below.

The laser beam sweeps horizontally across 133° and its vertical sweep has been significantly increased from 3° to 10°. At the same time, and in order to increase the resolution, its horizontal sweep generates 16 measurement layers rather than just four. Furthermore, in order to increase the ability to detect head-on obstacles across long ranges, the resolution has been increased over a horizontal angle of 30° around the central position. The scanning system continues to use a rotating two-sided mirror.

The third generation will have the same wavelength but integrate an innovative matrix receiver that will increase the sensor resolution, especially along the vertical axis, by tenfold.

In addition to detecting cars, trucks and two-wheelers, SCALA can also spot debris on roads and identify roadway markings.

Other external sensors

The detection and image-processing capabilities of the cameras have also been improved. On its Fit/Jazz hatchback, Honda has replaced Bosch's combined radar and camera in its ADAS by Valeo's camera, as it alone is capable of providing automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning functions. This new ADAS is a level-2 system.


Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

Valeo also presented a new generation of ultrasonic sensors for short-range detection purposes, such as automatic parking. They can operate at higher vehicle speeds, have a range of up to 7 m, and can now be placed behind car doors.


Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

The control unit that gathers all their data together uses artificial intelligence, especially to discriminate between objects such as walls, rails, and posts.

Valeo also has a plug-in module that can be fitted on the roofs of special-purpose vehicles such as robotaxis and self-driving pods. It comprises various sensors that can be supplied by competitors and cooled according to customer specifications. The entire module is wired and connected to a control unit. The result of synergies among Valeo's sensors, lighting (sensor orientation), and cleaning business units, it is used on robotaxis that are being tested in the United States. Waymo names Valeo as one of the suppliers for its self-driving vehicles.


Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

To facilitate the development of the SCALA, Valeo offers its customers — which range from start-ups to major automakers — kits comprising a LiDar or an ultrasonic sensor system that includes an electronic control unit, cables and connectors, a mounting kit, and a visualisation tool.

The Cruise4U autonomous driving control unit can contain 100 million lines of code and 70 reconfigurable software programs. Microprocessors from specialists such as Mobileye can be integrated on request. In particular, artificial intelligence will make it possible to detect a greater number of vehicles and determine whether a detected target is located at the front, rear, or side of a vehicle, thus making it easier to estimate that vehicle's trajectory.


Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

It is worth noting that automakers are increasingly implementing level 2+ (L2+), which ensures autonomous driving on an adequate portion of the road, but only under driver supervision. The technology of this level of driving allows drivers to let go of the steering wheel whenever permitted by law. To ensure the necessary level of redundancy, Valeo considers that the sensor array for level 2+ and level 3 self-driving vehicles should combine LiDar, radar, and cameras.

Sensor cleaning systems

The performance of all these sensors depends on how well their detection surfaces are kept clean. Thanks to the experience of its Visibility department, Valeo is one of the only OEMs to offer a cleaning system adapted to each use. These solutions range from forced air to more efficient systems such as high-pressure hot water spraying or wipers. Valeo also offers a drying system.

The SCALA LiDar can be fitted with a pressurised water spray (EverView LiDAR). Valeo says that this system uses only 25 ml of cleaning fluid versus 100 ml with competing non-automatic devices; not an insignificant advantage when considering the onboard weight and footprint of the tank.


Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

SCALA LiDar high-pressure cleaning system

Valeo's EverView Centricam system is a novelty in this field. Each camera lens rotates at up to 15,000 rpm to spin out water, mud, dust, and other debris. The advantage is that only one lens is visible, thus reducing the external form factor because the motor is located behind the camera.


Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

EverView Centricam system

The detection surfaces of the cameras and LiDars feature a dirt detection function. The sensors compare two images taken at intervals of about one second. The presence of dirt is confirmed if a suspicious black spot remains in the same place while the rest of the image has changed.

A central controller for all the cleaning systems makes it possible to define which sensors (short-range sensors, front sensor, vehicle speed, etc.) should be cleaned first.



The Valeo XtraVue Trailer invisible trailer hitch


This innovation allows drivers of to 'see through' the trailer they are towing. The system merges the images from the cameras at the rear of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer into a single image. The result is that the trailer becomes transparent and only its contours remain visible.


Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

The device obviously makes reversing and changing lanes easier.

In-vehicle detection

From level 3 onwards, driver attention must be monitored. Valeo has developed a camera capable of detecting driver attention, performing facial recognition, and even assessing a driver's emotional state. Intermittently operating infrared emitters enable detection in low-light conditions.


Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

The system determines the orientation of a driver's face based on the position of their eyes, nose, and mouth. Eyelid closure times are also crucial for analysing driver attention. Facial recognition can take into account the specific features of the pupils and irises.

The camera can be placed on the dashboard, behind the steering wheel, but also — and this is a world first — on the A-pillar for easier installation. As it is not opposite the driver's face, this angular shift is taken into account during image processing.


Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

Gesture control is also available. Fitting the camera in the interior light was found to be more effective and less intrusive than the fitting it in the dashboard.

Development of Valeo's Comfort & Driving Assistance Systems Business Unit

Valeo has just launched 12 new development projects — known as platforms — including four in the fields of driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles: front cameras, driver monitoring, new-generation SCALA LiDar, and self-driving pod.


Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

Valeo's estimate of market share of driving assistance levels up to full autonomy between 2020 and 2030

Regarding vehicles that have recently been launched or are in the process of being launched, Valeo is supplying the front camera for the Volkswagen Golf 8. This camera will also equip its MEB platform, which will be inaugurated during the launch of the ID.3. Valeo will also supply the SCALA LiDar to a premium carmaker other than Audi.

VValeo produced more than 170 million ultrasonic sensors in 2019. More than 10 automakers have ordered 17.5 million cameras for delivery between 2020 and 2022 and 50 new models scheduled for launch between 2019 and 2020 will be equipped with them. More than 100,000 SCALA LiDars have been delivered to date, mainly to Audi. One in four vehicles sold worldwide is equipped with a Valeo sensor or Valeo driver assistance software.


Valeo's latest innovations in ADAS and for self-driving vehicles

Written by: Yvonnick Gazeau

Source: Valeo

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