The present invention relates to a lighting system including a primary light source producing a primary light beam in the direction of a conversion device that returns a secondary light radiation to an optical imaging system forming a projected light beam. A light sensor generates a signal corresponding to the light received by this sensor. The light includes a non-converted light part of the first primary light beam which is returned by the conversion device in the projected light beam and is reflected by an obstacle situated in the zone illustrated by said projected light beam. A control unit has modulation means generating a modulation signal for the primary light, and demodulation means for processing the signal formed by said sensor, and determines a distance between the obstacle and the lighting system.

Disclosed herein are embodiments that relate to phase coded linear frequency modulation for a radar system. Embodiments include transmitting at least two signal pulses. The transmitting includes transmitting a first pulse with a first phase modulation and a first chip rate, and transmitting a second pulse with a second phase modulation and a second chip rate. The second chip rate may be different than the first chip rate. Embodiments also include receiving a signal that includes at least two reflection signals associated with reflection of the at least two transmitted signal pulses. Embodiments further include processing the received signal to determine target information. The processing includes filtering the received signal to time-align the at least two reflection signals. The filtering includes applying a frequency-dependent time delay to one or more of the at least two reflection signals. Additionally, embodiments include removing phase code modulations from the time-aligned reflection signals.

A vehicle lamp includes a lamp chamber, an automatic operation marker lamp unit, and a sensor device. The lamp chamber includes a lamp body and an outer lens, and the automatic operation marker lamp unit and the sensor device are integrated in the lamp chamber. The automatic operation marker lamp unit informs surroundings that a vehicle is being driven automatically, and a sensor device detects information around the vehicle.

Disclosed is an optical unit wherein a rotating reflector rotates about a rotation axis in one direction, while reflecting light emitted from a light source. The rotating reflector is provided with a reflecting surface such that the light reflected by the rotating reflector, while rotating, forms a desired light distribution pattern, said light having been emitted from the light source. The light source is composed of light emitting elements. The rotation axis is provided within a plane that includes an optical axis and the light source. The rotating reflector is provided with, on the periphery of the rotation axis, a blade that functions as the reflecting surface.

The invention relates to a vehicle headlight, comprising a housing (1) and modulatable light or IR radiation sources (4) which are arranged within the housing (1) and on a movable module support (5), and comprising an interface (2) for connection to an external vehicle processor (3), wherein an image sensor (6) for determining depth information from the backscatter radiation of the light or IR radiation sources (4) is arranged within the housing (1), and a processor (8) connected to the image sensor (6), which processor is connected via a modulator (9) to at least some of the modulatable light or IR radiation sources (4) arranged within the housing (1). It is proposed in accordance with the invention that the processor (8) is connected via a bidirectional data link (10) to the interface (2), and the image sensor (6) is arranged on the module support (5) or on an image sensor support triggered jointly with the module support (5). An application of ToF technology in automotive engineering which is fit for day-to-day use and suitable for series production is achieved in this manner by the best possible integration in conventional automotive engineering.

A lighting system for a local vehicle, comprising: a head lamp including a low-beam lamp for shining low-beam light in a first zone, and a first high-beam lamp for shining first high-beam light in the first zone; a sensory cluster for detecting a remote vehicle proximate to the local vehicle, the sensory cluster including a distance sensor for determining a distance of the remote vehicle from the local vehicle, and a velocity sensor for determining a velocity of the remote vehicle with respect to the local vehicle; and a lighting controller for determining a minimum-distance target time when the remote vehicle will reach a minimum distance from the local vehicle based on the distance of the remote vehicle and the velocity of the remote vehicle, and for controlling the operation of the first high-beam lamp based on the distance of the remote vehicle and the velocity of the remote vehicle.

An automotive lighting device includes a housing and at least one optical sensor disposed in the housing. The at least one optical sensor is configured to emit an optical signal and generating a data signal in response to a received reflected optical signal.

The present application describes a method including transmitting at least two radar signals by a radar unit of a vehicle, where a first signal is transmitted from a first location and a second signal is transmitted from a second location. The method also includes receiving a respective reflection signal associated with each of the transmitted signals. Additionally, the method includes determining, by a processor, at least one stationary object that caused a reflection. Further, the method includes based on the determined stationary object, determining, by the processor, an offset for the radar unit. The method yet further includes operating the radar unit based on the determined offset. Furthermore, the method includes controlling an autonomous vehicle based on the radar unit being operated with the determined offset.

The technology relates to enhancing the operation of autonomous vehicles. Extendible sensors are deployed based on detected or predicted conditions around a vehicle while operating in a self-driving mode. When not needed, the sensors are fully retracted into the vehicle to reduce drag and increase fuel economy. When the onboard system determines that there is a need for a deployable sensor, such as to enhance the field of view of the perception system, the sensor is extended in a predetermined manner. The deployment may depend on one or more operating conditions and/or particular driving scenarios. These and other sensors of the vehicle may be protected with a rugged housing, for instance to protect against damage from the elements. And in other situations, deployable foils may extend from the vehicle's chassis to increase drag and enhance braking. This may be helpful for large trucks in steep descent situations.

In one embodiment, a ladar system includes a laser transmitter with at least one semiconductor laser having a pulsed laser light output. A laser drive circuit is connected to said at least one semiconductor laser and adapted to electrically drive said at least one semiconductor laser in a predetermined sequence. A laser beam steering mechanism is adapted to scan the pulsed laser light output sequentially through the field of view. A two-dimensional array of light sensitive detectors receive reflected light and an integrated circuit calculates a direct time of flight distance measurement.