Foresight says its ScaleCam system can generate high-quality depth maps. | Source: Foresight
Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. last week announced that it has signed a co-development agreement with KONEC Co., a Korean Tier 1 automotive supplier. Under the agreement, the companies will integrate Foresight’s ScaleCam 3D perception technology into a concept autonomous vehicle.
The collaboration is sponsored by the Foundation of Korea Automotive Parts Industry Promotion (KAP), founded by Hyundai Motor Group. The partners said they will combine KONEC’s expertise in developing advanced automotive systems with KAP’s mission to foster innovation within the automobile parts industry.
“We believe that the collaboration with KONEC represents a significant step forward in the development of next-generation autonomous driving solutions,” stated Haim Siboni, CEO of Foresight. “By combining our resources, image-processing expertise, and innovative technologies, we aim to accelerate the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles, ultimately contributing to safer transportation solutions in the Republic of Korea.”
Foresight is an innovator in automotive vision systems. The Ness Ziona, Israel-based company is developing smart multi-spectral vision software systems and cellular-based applications. Through its subsidiaries, Foresight Automotive Ltd., Foresight Changzhou Automotive Ltd., and Eye-Net Mobile Ltd., it develops both in-line-of-sight vision systems and beyond-line-of-sight accident-prevention systems.
KONEC has established a batch production system for lightweight metal raw materials, models, castings, processing, and assembly through cooperation among its group affiliates. The Seosan-si, South Korea-based company‘s major customers include Tesla, Hyundai Motor, and Kia.
KONEC has entered the field of information processing technology using cameras to perform tasks such as developing a license-plate recognition system with companies that have commercialized systems on chips (SoCs) and modules for Internet of Things (IoT) communication.
Foresight ScaleCam to enhance autonomous capabilities
The collaboration will incorporate Foresight’s ScaleCam 360º 3D perception technology. The company said it will enable the self-driving vehicle to accurately perceive its surroundings. It and KONEC said say the successful integration of ScaleCam could significantly enhance the capabilities and safety of autonomous vehicles.
ScaleCam is based on stereoscopic technology. The system uses advanced and proven image-processing algorithms, according to Foresight. The company claimed that it provides seamless vision by using two visible-light cameras for highly accurate and reliable obstacle-detection capabilities.
Typical stereoscopic vision systems require constant calibration to ensure accurate distance measurements, Foresight noted. To solve this, some developers mount stereo cameras on a fixed beam, but this can limit camera placement positions and lead to technical issues, it said.
Foresight asserted that its technology allows for the independent placement of both visible-light and thermal infrared camera modules. This allows the system to support large baselines without mechanical constraints, providing greater distance accuracy at long ranges, it said.
Tell Us What You Think!