Automotive vehicle imaging radar sensor optimized for hazardous conditions

Ainstein announced today the launch and availability of the K-79 autonomous automotive imaging radar sensor, the first commercially available sensor that is optimized and validated for autonomous operation of vehicles in hazardous conditions, such as low-light and extreme dust. It is designed for use in self-driving industrial trucks, tractors and similar specialty vehicles.

“There is an urgent market need for sensors that provide LiDAR-like images, but that can function effectively where LiDAR is compromised, such as extremely bright, extremely dim, dusty and similar conditions,” said Andrew Boushie, Ainstein’s Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships. “These extreme conditions can make existing camera and LiDAR solutions unreliable. For industry to adopt autonomous driving technology, it is essential that functionality is near flawless in all environments.” 

Ainstein’s Autonomous Automotive Imaging Radar K-79 produces a high-resolution, detailed point cloud of a vehicle’s surroundings for both moving objectives, such as other vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians; as well as stationary objects, including railings, idled equipment and buildings. Other key features include: 

• Pinpoints the location of objects and provides range, speed, azimuth and elevation information. 
• Creates a 2D point cloud mapping of surroundings.
• Capable of producing 3D shapes of detected objects, offering LiDAR like image quality in poor conditions. 
• Allows for target classification to distinguish between vehicles and pedestrians.

This functionality opens unlimited possibilities for all types of autonomous vehicles, including self-driving excavators, snow removers, shuttles, sweepers, forklifts, agricultural equipment and more. A custom K-79 based sensing solution is currently being piloted by an industry leading orginization to automate mining excavation and material removal.

The K-79 combines advanced algorithms in imaging and localization, and radar system design, which allows Ainstein to leverage low-cost commercial radar components to provide a 4D radar point cloud with the most granular details of surroundings at a fraction of the cost of LiDAR systems.

Ainstein will exhibit at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) AutoMobili-D event, January 14-17, Cobo Center, Detroit, in the Connected Car section (Booth CC004).