In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are Waymo, OSRAM & Lotus Technology.
Waymo Winterizing & Waking Up Neighbors
Over the coming months, Waymo will be testing in Truckee, CA; Upstate New York; and across Michigan–from the Upper Peninsula to the metro Detroit area–to refine the system’s performance in even harsher weather conditions this winter.-
In San Francisco, neighbors are complaining near Waymo autonomous vehicle parking lot because the. vacant cars honk at each other all night long..
OSRAM Laser Long-Range LiDAR Efficiency
With its revolutionary 8-channel pulsed laser ams OSRAM (SIX: AMS), a global leader in intelligent sensors and emitters, is introducing its latest key innovation to enable autonomous driving. By simplifying system design and boosting performance, the laser makes long-range LiDAR systems more effective and reliable. The SPL S8L91A_3 A01, a high-performance 8-channel 915nm SMT pulsed laser in a QFN package, will be integrated into LiDAR systems for autonomous driving vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks and Robo Taxis. The new product will enhance their operation, navigation, and data processing capabilities.
The SPL S8L91A_3 A01 is designed to significantly improve long-range, high-resolution LiDAR systems for autonomous driving. With the world’s first AEC-Q102 qualified 8-channel EEL (edge-emitting laser) in a QFN package, system developers can now choose from an even greater variety of infrared components from ams OSRAM. The new product offers a convincing performance of 1000 watts peak optical power and an efficiency of up to 30 percent.
Autonomous driving is one of the most discussed topics for the future. The majority of system providers is convinced that there is no way around LiDAR when it comes to advancing autonomous driving. ams OSRAM has been a market leader in developing and producing pulsed infrared lasers for automotive LiDAR for over 20 years. There are now more than twenty million units in the field –- an excellent proof of this in terms of experience and quality. SPL S8L91A_3 A01 is the newest product lineup addition built on extensive experience in automotive LiDAR technology.
The SPL S8L91A_3 A01, a state-of-the-art infrared high-power SMT laser, is tailored for LiDAR applications, featuring a monolithically integrated 8-channel design. This innovative configuration delivers 125W per laser channel, i.e. 1000W total peak optical power, vastly enhancing the performance capabilities of long-range LiDAR systems crucial for autonomous highway driving. The laser has four individual addressable anodes, where each anode is connected to two parallel operating laser channels. This addressability gives flexibility to the customer in designing the end product.
Employing a single laser package allows for a more compact and efficient setup of the LiDAR sensor, eliminating the need for alignment between multiple components, thus simplifying the design and manufacturing process. This integration not only reduces the development timeline but also significantly enhances the reliability and performance of the end product. The laser’s design includes ams OSRAM’s proprietary wavelength stabilization technology, which minimizes wavelength shifts due to temperature changes, thereby improving the LiDAR system’s Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and extending its detection range.
The SPL S8L91A_3 A01 is designed to meet the rigorous demands of the automotive industry. It has surpassed the AEC-Q qualification standards, ensuring its suitability for automotive applications. The laser’s QFN package is key to its robust design, providing a durable solution that meets the challenges of automotive environments. The products can be integrated into LiDAR systems for autonomous driving vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks or Robo Taxis to enhance their operation, navigation, and data processing capabilities. Furthermore, the new laser can boost the performance in industrial applications such as robotics, surveillance, smart cities and last mile deliveries.
“Our new 8-channel laser module is a game-changer for the autonomous driving industry,” emphasizes Clemens Hofmann, Senior Principal Engineer for LIDAR, at ams OSRAM. “It simplifies system design and boosts performance, making long-range LiDAR systems more effective and reliable. Integrating our advanced wavelength stabilization technology ensures superior performance across varying operational conditions.”
The SPL S8L91A_3 A01 will be launched in autumn this year. Further information about LiDAR and autonomous driving can be found at ams-osram.com/applications.
Autel ADAS Calibration System
Autel, a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of professional automotive diagnostic tools and equipment, has released its latest Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) calibration solution. The MaxiSYS IA700 ADAS calibration frame system offers a modular, compact design with advanced capabilities, including wheel alignment pre-check, optical positioning, and unlevel floor compensation.
The versatility of the IA700 sets it apart from any other calibration system in the industry. It’s a highly adaptable system equally suited for mobile technicians and every type of service shop—glass, mechanical, and collision. Regardless of calibration volume, technician expertise, shop space, and business model, technicians and shop owners will find superior value and return on investment with this system.
“We couldn’t be more excited about bringing the IA700 to market. With the IA700, we have taken the best attributes of previous systems—the compactness and mobile attribute of the MA600 mobile frame, the wheel alignment precheck and optical positioning of the IA800, and the unlevel floor compensation and holistic approach to vehicle repair and calibration of the IA900 and the MaxiSYS diagnostic platform—and created a new industry standard,” said Stewart Peregrine, senior executive of ADAS sales at Autel.
The IA700 system provides industry-leading vehicle and safety system coverage and a repeatable, streamlined diagnostic, alignment inspection, repair, and service workflow, enabling shop technicians to offer their customers the most comprehensive, key-to-key vehicle servicing.
A robotic crossbar with six high-definition tracking cameras makes the frame effortlessly efficient. These cameras enable target positioning and prompt unlevel floor compensation. Though substantial in build, the frame quickly disassembles for transport or space-saving storage.
The IA700’s advanced features include alignment pre-check, optical target-to-vehicle placement, unlevel floor compensation, and Guided ADAS.
Alignment Pre-Check
Proper alignment is crucial for vehicles with Advanced Driver Safety Systems (ADAS). The IA700 Pre-Check feature uses the frame-embedded six high-definition camera systems and the targeted wheel clamps to determine the current alignment specifications and compare them with the vehicle manufacturer’s accepted tolerances.
Optical Positioning
The precise positioning of a camera calibration pattern, target, or radar calibrator to the vehicle is vital to successfully calibrating any ADAS component. The IA700 optical positioning system uses the same camera and target method as the Pre-Check feature, plus the tablet positioning software to recognize the positioning targets and calculate the current angle, distance, and offset position of the frame to the vehicle. The technician simply follows the onscreen instructions to move the frame or adjust its angle until the current values match the required values. Optical positioning is six times faster than using mechanical tools and virtually eliminates measuring errors.
“Optical positioning transforms the calibration process completely. With its repeatable method of quick and easy target placement, it leapfrogs the OEM tools in terms of efficiency and precision, greatly simplifying the process for technicians at of levels,” Peregrine said.
Unlevel Floor Compensation
Level flooring is one of the critical environmental factors crucial to successful calibration. Whether performing calibrations in their shop or servicing others, the IA700 floor compensation feature enables technicians to calibrate regardless of the flooring status. The system software allows technicians to select the type of surface they are working on, whether an unlevel floor, a level floor, or a rack. Next, the system prompts the technician to initiate a rolling compensation whereby the unit camera system works with the targeted wheel clamps to determine the correction needed to ensure an accurate calibration. The tablet then displays any target height, pitch, and roll angle adjustments that need to be executed by the technician.
Guided ADAS
The IA700 features the recently released Guided ADAS application, which enables Autel ADAS calibration system users to calibrate just-released vehicle models not yet covered by Autel software with their Autel system frame, target, calibrator, step-by-step instructions, and expedited setup and OE subscription or OE tools. The shop technician can use OE software and tools locally or contract with an experienced technician with OE tools and software via the tablet-based Autel Remote Expert platform, whereby technicians can contract with experienced technicians with OE tools and subscriptions to perform the calibration. Remote Experts are also available for modular flashing, new ECU programming, and OE tasks currently not supported by Autel software.
“Our system provides the industry’s most comprehensive post-scan documentation, capturing all relevant system and vehicle validation data,” Peregrine said.
The IA700 is available in three packages, each with or without the MaxiSYS 909 diagnostics and ADAS calibration software. The IA700 is compatible with any Autel Ultra series tablet with ADAS calibration software.
- IA700 Wheel Alignment Pre-Check Package: This package offers wheel alignment pre-checks when paired with a MaxiSYS Ultra series tablet with ADAS calibration software. The tablet provides advanced all-vehicle systems diagnostics, services, and dynamic ADAS calibrations.
- IA700 Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Package: This package offers all the capabilities of the basic IA700 system as well as targets and patterns for calibrations of front camera systems for Audi/Volkswagen, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Honda/Acura, Mazda, Nissan/Infiniti, Toyota/Lexus, Hyundai/Kia, Subaru, and Mitsubishi.
- The IA700 All Systems Package: This package offers the capabilities of the LDW package, plus it includes radar, lidar, night vision calibrators, and camera patterns for Blind Spot, Around-View Monitoring, Front and Rear Collision Warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control systems calibrations.
The IA700 can be pre-ordered now and will start shipping in late September. Visit Autel.com to learn more about the Autel comprehensive line of ADAS calibration solutions and schedule a call with one of our ADAS sales experts.\\\\\
Lotus Robotics Intelligent Driving for Lynk&Co
Lotus Technology Inc. (“Lotus Tech” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LOT), a leading global intelligent luxury mobility provider, today announced that its intelligent driving arm, Lotus Robotics, has provided intelligent driving solutions to Lynk&Co, a global leading automaker with operations across Europe and Asia. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the commercialization of the Company’s advanced technology capabilities.
The Company celebrates the launch of Lynk&Co Z10, which is the first all-electric flagship sedan of the Lynk&Co brand. The model, inspired by “The Next Day” concept car, features intelligent driving solutions, including highway NOA and urban NOA, provided by Lotus Robotics. Reservations for Lynk&Co Z10 started on Aug 15, 2024.
Lotus Robotics, a subsidiary of Lotus Tech, is committed to develop advanced intelligent driving technologies to foster global industry growth. Lotus Robotics has established itself as a global premier provider of comprehensive intelligent driving solutions, including advanced intelligent driving platform software, cloud toolchains, integrated hardware and software development, and intelligent driving operation solutions.
Lotus’s research and development in intelligent driving commenced in 2018 with the commencement of the Company’s Vision80 strategy championed by Qingfeng Feng, the Company’s CEO. Lotus Tech has been dedicated to delivering luxury intelligent vehicles and cutting-edge technologies across global markets. All lifestyle (SUV and SEDAN) models are optional with best-in-class hardware that supports end-to-end intelligent driving solutions, to be delivered through our sales network of over 200 stores in prime locations around the world.
Alexious Lee, CFO of Lotus Tech, said: “It is in our DNA to drive innovation through creating new and more efficient technologies and sharing them with the broader automobile sector. We are delighted to collaborate with peers to capitalize on our commercial technology solutions and achieve a win-win scenario. Our broad range of technology offerings will strengthen our proposition for our customers, shareholders, and investors.”
As announced in September 2023, Lotus Robotics was designated to license several leading automakers to provide them with its intelligent driving technology and software. The Company expects that intelligent driving business will further diversify its business portfolio with a range of high-margin revenue streams, accelerating its rapid growth.
About Lotus Technology
Lotus Technology Inc. has operations across the UK, the EU and China. The Company is dedicated to delivering luxury lifestyle battery electric vehicles, with a focus on world-class R&D in next-generation automobility technologies such as electrification, digitalisation and more. For more information about Lotus Technology Inc., please visit www.group-lotus.com.