Hitachi’s new road scanning technology

Using advanced vehicle to vehicle communications, this data could be shared between cars and trucks using the same stretch of road. Multiple alerts over road surface issues could also be used to highlight the need for debris removal or road repairs to road authorities.
January 11, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

233 Hitachi Automotive Systems (Hitachi) has developed a new technology package that allows the detection of road surface problems, including holes and small debris. The system works while a vehicle is being driven and uses the firm’s in-vehicle stereo camera technology. This allows for accurate detection of small road surface issues.

The firm intends to link the package to vehicle suspension systems. This would allow vehicles to respond quickly to any surface irregularities, immediately prior to passing over them. The firm is working on a new development that would tune the vehicle’s stability in accordance to the condition of the road surface.

The firm says that its stereo cameras are also able to detect pedestrians as well as other objects and can determine distances accurately. The system is able to detect surface irregularities quickly accurately according to the firm and has been designed to ignore false readings caused by dirt or shadows in the roadway. The high performance readings made by the stereo cameras have been key to identifying shadows or dirt, aided by a sophisticated algorithm that can analyse the image information extremely rapidly, according to Hitachi.

Using advanced vehicle to vehicle communications, this data could be shared between cars and trucks using the same stretch of road. Multiple alerts over road surface issues could also be used to highlight the need for debris removal or road repairs to road authorities.

Maintenance

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Towards an EU framework for the security of widezones: research project “ZONeSEC”
    June 8, 2015
    The security and safety of the EU’s key infrastructure is a major issue and requires Pan-European agreement Critical infrastructure, such as highways, energy lines or pipelines, may spread over large areas covering wide geographic zones. There is clearly a need to provide proper security for such infrastructure against illicit actions and against incidents that may escalate to crises. As a result, developing 24/7 surveillance systems for the security of Wide Zones (with multiple assets at localised scale
    Read More
  • Trimble’s innovation with new technology
    January 11, 2019
    Trimble is developing highly advanced technologies for the construction and quarrying sectors – Mike Woof writes Trimble is working on a number of highly innovative technologies that could revolutionise the construction and aggregates production sectors. Perhaps the most eye-catching of all of these innovations is for the autonomous compactor and dozer system Trimble is in the process of developing at present. Scott Crozier is general manager of Trimble’s general construction division. He said that whi
    Read More
  • Compaction control boosts efficiency
    March 14, 2012
    Effective compaction control is one of a series of technical innovations boosting performance efficiency – Mike Woof writes. Maximising compaction efficiency can be a major cost factor on construction projects. Both for soil and asphalt compaction sectors, the risk from leaving an area under or over-compacted is substantial.
    Read More
  • Compaction control boosts efficiency
    April 13, 2012
    Effective compaction control is one of a series of technical innovations boosting performance efficiency – Mike Woof writes. Maximising compaction efficiency can be a major cost factor on construction projects. Both for soil and asphalt compaction sectors, the risk from leaving an area under or over-compacted is substantial.
    Read More

Highlighted Content