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

  • Intelligent paving and compaction holds the key
    October 16, 2024
    Intelligent paving and compaction holds the key to more efficient road construction according to BOMAG – Mike Woof writes
    Read More
  • New tests, new technology, new users: why materials testing is a growing market
    February 7, 2017
    A look back at some of the developments this year, and a look ahead to what may come next reveals the increasing use of materials testing. New technology and new ways to process and analyse data will drive change even further - Kristina Smith reports For materials testing equipment manufacturers, constant change is business as usual. New tests emerge, new standards are written and new practices spread around regions and the world. There are also new materials to deal with: bitumen modified with polymers
    Read More
  • Smarter compaction equipment from key manufacturers
    June 23, 2015
    Intelligent compaction technologies continue to advance in sophistication - Mike Woof writes Ever more sophisticated intelligent compaction technologies are being offered to customers, which can boost working efficiency and help improve construction quality. This is particularly the case for the compaction of asphalt running surfaces. Asphalt cooling leaves only a short time window during which a paved mat can be properly compacted, so intelligent compaction systems offer major gains for contractors and cli
    Read More
  • Intermat unveils key road construction technology
    March 5, 2012
    Several key highway construction innovations will be unveiled at the Intermat show
    Read More

Highlighted Content