What Are Infrared Sensors?

Self-driving cars, or AVs, revolutionize travel, safety, and city design, function, and management. These vehicles incorporate several complex sensors that have the singular role of safely and effectively steering the automobiles. Infrared (IR) sensors have gained prominence in improving the perception of AVs since their use has been noted to benefit the vehicles in the market.

Infrared sensors detect infrared radiation emitted by objects and convert this energy into electronic signals. Infrared (IR) radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum and is invisible to the naked eye but can be sensed as heat. Although invisible to the human eye, infrared radiation is emitted by all objects with a temperature above absolute zero, with warmer objects emitting more.

Infrared sensors detect infrared radiation (or heat) emitted from objects. The intensity of infrared radiation increases with temperature, allowing sensors to detect the shape and size of an object based on heat signatures. In autonomous vehicles, infrared sensors often serve as complementary sensing tools alongside technologies like PathFindIR. Together, they create a comprehensive image of the vehicle’s surroundings, enabling safe and effective navigation. For optimal performance, ADAS Calibration is essential to ensure that infrared sensors and other advanced systems work accurately and reliably.

PathFindIR is a thermal imaging system used in autonomous vehicles to enhance visibility by detecting objects, pedestrians, and obstacles in low-light or adverse weather conditions, improving safety and navigation. This technology works in the following way.

• Heat-Based Detection: PathFindIR relies on heat emitted by animals and people, independent of external lighting like headlights or streetlights.
• Long-Range Visibility: It detects objects at a greater distance, seeing well beyond headlights.
• Enhanced Nighttime Detection: Warm-bodied objects like people and animals are easier to spot in cooler nighttime conditions.
• Advanced Identification Algorithms: Detection algorithms to differentiate between people and animals, like deer or elk, to improve accuracy.
• Combined Precision: It combines the infrared sensitivity with the identification capabilities for consistent people and animal detection.

• Simple Installation: PathFindIR is an after-market solution mounted on the front of the car that only requires a power feed for the video feed.
• Pedestrian and Animal Alerts: When connected, the system alerts pedestrians and animals to night driving safety.
• Screen Compatibility: Aftermarket screens can view the night vision feed if the vehicle lacks an integrated display.
• Integration with Built-In Displays: Aftermarket screens are available to view the night vision feed if the car doesn’t have an inbuilt display.

• Limitations in Low Visibility:  Whereas camera systems have poor visibility at night, infrared sensors help improve visibility based on the heat index.
• Heat Differential Requirement: Infrared sensors work on the principle that an object must have a high enough temperature difference from its surroundings.
• Nighttime Performance: Infrared is most sensitive at night when the heat contrasts are manifested.
• Challenges in High Heat: It only fails in a few instances of extreme heat where the ambient temperature equals body heat.
• Broad Applicability: Most areas don’t face these extreme conditions, so infrared remains highly reliable in typical environments.

Infrared sensors are essential tools in the autonomous driving landscape. They allow vehicles to detect heat signatures from objects around them. They enhance night vision, improve performance in poor weather, and help detect people and animals on the road. To learn more about this sensor for vehicles, contact Blue Diamond Auto Glass technicians.