A leading German automaker has entered a paid technical evaluation program with Boston-based Teradar to assess the company’s terahertz vision sensor for future advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving applications.
Announced by Teradar, the program will evaluate the company’s Summit sensor in challenging driving scenarios where existing sensing technologies can struggle, including dense fog, rain, dust and smoke. The automaker will provide testing facilities and engineering resources as it assesses whether the technology meets requirements for its next generation of ADAS and autonomous driving platforms.
The evaluation will focus on edge-case scenarios considered critical for vehicle safety, including detecting a fallen motorcyclist at long range, identifying stopped vehicles in heavy fog and distinguishing multiple objects in close proximity, such as a person changing a tire beside a disabled vehicle. Testing will be conducted at facilities capable of creating repeatable weather conditions.
According to Teradar, the results will determine whether the company advances to the automaker’s formal supplier bidding process for future vehicle programs.
The announcement follows track testing in Germany earlier this year, where Teradar said its Summit sensor met performance requirements for adverse-weather operation and complex multi-object environments.
“Moving into this next phase is the ultimate market validation for us and will provide valuable data as we help solve the real-world problems facing the progression of safe or autonomous driving,” said Matthew Carey, CEO and Co-Founder of Teradar, statement.
