Page 18 - EE Times Europe Magazine – June 2024

18 EE|Times EUROPE

How Versatile Technologies Can Boost AV Adoption

of the LiDAR system, allowing for accurate perception and interpreta- This approach again means an easier integration and customization
tion of the surrounding environment. These features support OEMs as of LiDAR systems for vehicles used across applications like agriculture,
they facilitate the integration of the LiDAR system into their vehicles construction and mining operations, public safety and defense as well
and ensure compatibility with other on-board systems. Innoviz said as healthcare and medical services.
its approach to developing the software and sensor in parallel has the
RETROFITTING FARMING EQUIPMENT FOR AUTONOMOUS
OPERATIONS
The key to the widespread adoption and The key to the widespread adoption and eventual commercialization of
eventual commercialization of AVs may AVs may lie in the versatility of the technologies predominant in auto-
mated driving systems. The ability of autonomous driving technologies
lie in the versatility of the technologies to be employed over a wide range of vehicles could pave the way for
predominant in automated driving systems. AV ecosystems. These technologies, which could be used not only for a
tractor but also a miller or drone, could enable a single platform where
the user could monitor its use.
BlueWhite, an Israeli-American technology company, demonstrates
potential to bridge the reliability gap in AVs. that versatility by providing AV solutions for agriculture. It develops
Integrating the perception software into the solution also contrib- retrofit kits that add autonomous operation to existing tractors
utes to the versatility of the sensor. The company configures scan and other farm equipment, enabling the creation of a network of
patterns, resolution and other features of the sensor data via the AVs and the automation of their tasks. Like Innoviz’s InnovizTwo, Blue-
software to meet the needs of different autonomy levels and use cases. White’s technology intricately fuses advanced hardware and software
“For instance, it can prioritize front-facing long-range detection for L3 components.
highway driving or expand coverage to include sides and junctions for The BlueWhite Pathfinder retrofit kit, installed on any tractor,
L4 applications,” Hofstetter said. serves as the hardware backbone, imbuing vehicles with autonomous

Figure 2: Levels of driving automation in SAE J3016 standards

JUNE 2024 | www.eetimes.eu