PMDTec's 3D ToF technology for AUDI: Tomorrow’s driver assistance and safety systems

German car manufacturer Audi AG officially announced, that the company will use PMD’s unique 3D ToF image sensing technology for the realization of future driver assistance and safety systems.

The first application will be automatic full braking in city traffic called pre sense city, which is based on PMD’s innovative, compact, robust and most mature 3D sensor technology, in whose basic development Audi played a significant role over the last years.

"Automatic full braking

Many Audi vehicles can already brake automatically the last few meters before an impending collision if the driver himself is no longer capable of intervening. Audi is developing this function further, both for the city (pre sense city) and for interurban traffic.

pre sense city

Automatic full braking in city traffic is based on an innovative compact sensor technology, in whose basic development Audi played a significant role some years ago.The PMD sensor (PMD = photonic mixing device)  is a small chip that can measure distances in three dimensions with greater precision than conventional sensor systems.

Active emergency braking
Audi is developing another version of the pre sense system for automatic full braking at speeds above 65 km/h (40.39 mph). Its centerpiece is a laser scanner offering the advantages of even greater range, a wide field of view and greater precision.

The laser uses its wide field of view to also scan the areas to the front and side of the vehicles, and can thus also detect buildings and other development on the side of the ride. If there is an obstacle in front of the vehicle, such as the end of a traffic jam, the system can assess whether the driver can still take evasive action."

For the full AUDI news click here.