Fully Autonomous Vehicles Spur Mass Adoption of LIDAR Sensors

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Cost-effective, high-resolution light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors capable of long-range object detection will be essential for high-to-fully automated driving applications. Demand for 3D mapping and imaging, better overall performance, automated processing of graphic data gathering and self-sufficient sensor with best-in-class performance in low-visibility conditions are factors driving the development and adoption of LIDAR sensors within the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) sensor suite for automated passenger vehicles.

“Most original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will use LIDAR as a complement to camera and radar until a robust sensing solution is achieved,” said Frost & Sullivan Intelligent Mobility Senior Analyst Anirudh Venkitaraman. “Consolidation in the market has led to the emergence of a few major players such as Ibeo-ZF, LEDDARTECH-Valeo, Quanergy-Delphi, and ASC-Continental that will play a crucial role in technology development. This will enable cost-effective, solid-state LIDAR development for mass adoption post 2025.”

Automotive LIDAR Market for ADAS and Automated Driving, Global 2016 is part of Frost & Sullivan’s Mobility: Automotive & Transportation Growth Partnership Service program. According to the research, short-range LIDAR for autonomic emergency braking (AEB) is predominant in Japan and Europe. North America prefers to use radar and camera-based AEB, while Korea has high penetration of sensor fusion AEB.

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In the next four years, there is a possibility of commoditization of level-2 automation with volume OEMs—such as Ford, Hyundai, and General Motors—introducing the technology in some of their premium offerings. Leading players have adopted a variety of roadmaps for LIDAR:

• BMW is initially expected to introduce the city and highway pilot features, along with fully automated parking by 2022 on the i-8, 7-Series, and i-5
• Mercedes-Benz is expected to introduce a level-3 highway pilot and an improved parking feature with the E-Class in 2017
• Commercialization of level-3 features in Ford vehicles is expected in 2025 or later
• General Motors wants level-4 automation with Cadillac by 2025
• Toyota is advocating intelligent systems to aid drivers, but is hesitant on committing to a fully autonomous driving timeline
• After introducing an automated vehicle with LIDAR, Google is expected to compete against top OEMs in the North American market

“Mechanical LIDARs will be the only LIDAR solution enabling automated driving applications until solid-state LIDARs become the standard closer to 2020,” noted Venkitaraman. “When deployed, solid-state LIDARs will be used for level-3 and level-4 autonomous driving features like lane keeping and highway auto pilot applications, forcing the phasing out of mechanical systems by 2025.”

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