An optical monitoring system serves to monitor surroundings, having a monitoring apparatus, the visual or scanning field of which is captured by a lens, and a protection panel (112) which protects the lens from precipitation and covers at least the visual or scanning field of the monitoring apparatus. In order to avoid the signal quality of the monitoring apparatus being impaired by precipitation on the protection panel, it is proposed that the protection panel (12; 112; 218; 318) is acoustically coupled to at least one ultrasonic transducer (10). The optical monitoring system can be included into the control system of a vehicle for autonomous driving, wherein, overall, it is possible to obtain increased safety of the control system.

An optical monitoring system serves to monitor surroundings, having a monitoring apparatus, the visual or scanning field of which is captured by a lens, and a protection panel (112) which protects the lens from precipitation and covers at least the visual or scanning field of the monitoring apparatus. In order to avoid the signal quality of the monitoring apparatus being impaired by precipitation on the protection panel, it is proposed that the protection panel (12; 112; 218; 318) is acoustically coupled to at least one ultrasonic transducer (10). The optical monitoring system can be included into the control system of a vehicle for autonomous driving, wherein, overall, it is possible to obtain increased safety of the control system.

Methods, apparatus and systems that relate to a sensor bracket, a sensor assembly that includes the sensor bracket, as well as movable objects and vehicles equipped with the sensor assembly are described. One example sensor bracket includes a bracket body having a first end and a second end. The first end of the bracket body is configured to connect to an automobile and the second end of the bracket body is configured to connect to a sensor. A first air curtain machine is positioned at the second end of the bracket body, the first air curtain machine having an air outlet that is positioned to cause air to flow from the first air curtain machine through the air outlet across a forward-facing direction of the sensor.

Methods, apparatus and systems that relate to a sensor bracket, a sensor assembly that includes the sensor bracket, as well as movable objects and vehicles equipped with the sensor assembly are described. One example sensor bracket includes a bracket body having a first end and a second end. The first end of the bracket body is configured to connect to an automobile and the second end of the bracket body is configured to connect to a sensor. A first air curtain machine is positioned at the second end of the bracket body, the first air curtain machine having an air outlet that is positioned to cause air to flow from the first air curtain machine through the air outlet across a forward-facing direction of the sensor.

A foreign matter removal device (1) is configured to remove foreign matters on a lens (101) of an in-vehicle camera (100) attached to a vehicle so that the lens (101) of the in-vehicle camera (100) is exposed toward an outside of a body panel of the vehicle. The foreign matter removal device includes a single-cylinder type reciprocating pump (5) configured to generate high-pressure air and a nozzle (22) configured to inject the high-pressure air toward the lens (101). A volume of an internal space of the pump is 10 cm.sup.3 or less. Exhaust time (t1) per cycle required for exhausting the air in the internal space is 0.03 seconds or less.

A foreign matter removal device (1) is configured to remove foreign matters on a lens (101) of an in-vehicle camera (100) attached to a vehicle so that the lens (101) of the in-vehicle camera (100) is exposed toward an outside of a body panel of the vehicle. The foreign matter removal device includes a single-cylinder type reciprocating pump (5) configured to generate high-pressure air and a nozzle (22) configured to inject the high-pressure air toward the lens (101). A volume of an internal space of the pump is 10 cm.sup.3 or less. Exhaust time (t1) per cycle required for exhausting the air in the internal space is 0.03 seconds or less.

A sensor assembly includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, and an annular member coupled to the sensor window and rotatable about the axis. The annular member includes a nozzle aimed at the sensor window and oriented at an acute angle from a radial direction toward the axis in a plane orthogonal to the axis.

A sensor assembly includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, and an annular member coupled to the sensor window and rotatable about the axis. The annular member includes a nozzle aimed at the sensor window and oriented at an acute angle from a radial direction toward the axis in a plane orthogonal to the axis.

A method and control system for utilizing an autonomous vehicle as shield against meteorological phenomena above a drivable surface area are provided. The method includes determining if the drivable surface area is to be shielded against the meteorological phenomenon and autonomously driving the vehicle over the drivable surface area to at least partially cover the drivable surface area from the meteorological phenomenon. Additionally, the method includes determining if the drivable surface area is to be uncovered and autonomously driving the vehicle away from the drivable surface area to uncover the drivable surface area.

A method and control system for utilizing an autonomous vehicle as shield against meteorological phenomena above a drivable surface area are provided. The method includes determining if the drivable surface area is to be shielded against the meteorological phenomenon and autonomously driving the vehicle over the drivable surface area to at least partially cover the drivable surface area from the meteorological phenomenon. Additionally, the method includes determining if the drivable surface area is to be uncovered and autonomously driving the vehicle away from the drivable surface area to uncover the drivable surface area.