Browse Topic: Optics

Items (10,165)
Toyota vehicles equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) can record detailed information surrounding various driving events. Often, this data is employed in accident reconstruction to better understand the dynamics of a collision. TSS data is comprised of three main categories: Vehicle Control History (VCH), Freeze Frame Data (FFD), and image records. During an event, it is possible that a vehicle undergoes a catastrophic power loss from the damage sustained during the event. In this paper, the effects of sudden power loss on the VCH, FFD, and images are studied. Events are triggered on a TSS 3.0 equipped vehicle by driving toward a stationary target. After system activation, a total power loss is induced, triggered on the instrument cluster “BRAKE” alert message, at various delays after activation. This testing studies various signals recorded across VCH, FFD and image data including vehicle speed and time and date. Results show that there is a minimum time to record after system
Getz, CharlesYeakley, AdamDiSogra, Matthew
This paper proposes ProGuard, a novel approach to preemptive pinch detection systems for buses. ProGuard utilizes state-of-the-art AI object detection algorithms to identify potential pinching events in bus entryways before pinching occurs. Modern conventional anti-pinch systems, such as pressure sensors or hall effect sensors, often rely on mechanical contact before triggering. While these systems are established safety mechanisms, they are reactive and therefore require some level of pinching before triggering. This reactive approach presents numerous safety concerns for passengers, especially when considering children on school buses. Existing preemptive detection methods, such as infrared or ultrasonic sensors, solve the problems presented by these reactive detection systems. However, these systems either lack the range or environmental resilience needed for reliable operation in buses. The critical nature of anti-pinch systems requires a robust and reliable solution that can adapt
Bradley, HudsonZadeh, MehrdadTan, Teik-Khoon
Road grade can impact the energy efficiency, safety, and comfort associated with automated vehicle control systems. Currently, control systems that attempt to compensate for road grade are designed with one of two assumptions. Either the grade is only known once the vehicle is driving over the road segment through proprioception, or complete knowledge of the oncoming road grade is known from a pre-made map. Both assumptions limit the performance of a control system, as not having a preview signal prevents proactive grade compensation, whereas relying only on map data potentially subjects the control system to missing or outdated information. These limits can be avoided by measuring the oncoming grade in real-time using on-board lidar sensors. In this work, we use point returns accumulated during travel to estimate the grade at each waypoint along a path. The estimated grade is defined as the difference in height between the front and rear wheelbase at a given waypoint. Kalman filtering
Schexnaydre, LoganPoovalappil, AmanRobinette, DarrellBos, Jeremy
To increase the thermal efficiency of a hybrid inline 4-cylinder direct injection engine, combustion promotion was carried out by enhancing the in-cylinder flow. The intake port and piston top shape were optimized using CFD. In-cylinder flow analysis in steady flow showed that the mean steady flow tumble ratio with the in-cylinder flow enhancement specification increased to 1.7 compared to 1.0 with the previous model and 1.4 with the early development specification. The limit engine speed, which is the engine speed at when the mean flow coefficient decreases due to the choke, and the mean steady flow tumble ratio with the in-cylinder flow enhancement specification were positioned on the trade-off line between the NA and the TC engine. In-cylinder flow analysis on the single-cylinder optical engine showed that the in-cylinder flow entering the cylinder smoothly flowed to the exhaust side, and the in-cylinder flow descending on the exhaust side was smoothly converted to the upward flow
Okura, YasuhiroUrata, Yasuhiro
Accurate perception of the surrounding environment is fundamental and essential to safe and reliable autonomous driving. This work presents an integrated vision-based framework that com bines object detection, 3D spatial localization, and lane segmentation to construct a unified bird’s-eye-view (BEV) representation of the driving scene. The pipeline provides geometric information on object position and orientation by employing Omni3D to infer 3D bounding boxes of objects from monocular camera frames. Detections are subsequently projected onto a 2D BEV canvas, where object instances are represented with respect to the ground plane for enhanced interpretability. To complement the object-level perception, we utilized YOLOPv2 to perform lane segmentation, producing both lane masks and lane line masks in the image domain for future coordinate transformation. By adopting a pinhole camera model, the coordinate transformation of these masks from the perspective image plane into the BEV canvas
Tan, LinArjmanzdadeh, ZibaWang, HanchenLi, TaozheHajnorouzali, YasamanBurch, CollinLee, VictoriaXu, Bin
The increased integration of radar and vision sensors in modern vehicles has significantly improved environmental perception, safety, and automation. Nevertheless, conventional camera modules capture images in fixed, continuous frames, leading to unnecessary data processing, power consumption, and heat generation in the limited space of small sensors. The paper discusses the technology of Radar Based Dynamic Pixel Activation (RDPA); whereby radar data can be used to dynamically activate specific pixels on the camera sensor, optimizing image capture and processing. Through a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed articles published between 2021 and 2025, we examined the literature on radar-camera fusion, adaptive imaging, and sensor design that is efficient in power consumption. The review indicates a research gap that there is no current paradigm that dynamically activates sensor pixels at the hardware level using radar data. We aggregated ten topical studies and proposed a
Kasarla, Nagender Reddy
Helical compression springs have been used widely in various industries from automotive, aerospace and construction to electronics and medical devices. In the automotive industry, they appear in many places such as suspension, valvetrain, etc., as well in the discharge check valve of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) pump, which is the subject of study due to a recent fracture in lab testing. A theoretical study is conducted first to establish the equation governing spring dynamic motion under impact velocity, which can be in high magnitude with surging shock wave along spring axis. A new spring shock wave equation is developed for spring axial motion coupled with coil torsional effect. This newly derived shock wave equation has a broader term than the classic spring formula found in most engineering books. In this paper, it shows that the classic spring shock wave equation is only a special case for the general wave equation newly discovered. Then, a theoretical formula on spring shock
Pang, Michael L.Gunturu, SrinuNorkin, Eugene
Flat tires represent a common yet serious issue in vehicle safety, leading to compromised control, increased braking distance, and potential rim or structural damage when undetected. Conventional tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) rely on embedded sensors that can fail, incur high replacement costs, and are not always equipped in older or low-cost vehicles. To address these limitations, this study presents a comprehensive visual dataset for flat-tire classification using computer vision and machine learning techniques. The dataset comprises 600 labeled images—300 flat-tire and 300 non-flat-tire samples—collected from diverse vehicle types, lighting conditions, and viewpoints. This dataset is designed to support the training and benchmarking of lightweight edge-AI models suitable for real-time deployment on embedded platforms. A set of supervised learning models were evaluated. Results demonstrate that visual-based classification provides a cost-effective and scalable pathway
Gunasekaran, AswinGovilesh, VidarshanaChalla, KarthikeyaMaxim, BruceShen, Jie
The following approach introduces a novel method for defect depth characterization using digital Shearography, which is a non-contact, full-field, and material-independent optical interferometric method that enables fast and nondestructive testing (NDT) of components, especially in industrial environments such as the automotive sector. While traditional techniques like computed-tomography, ultrasonic-testing, or thermography can offer depth approximations but they often involve high costs, longer testing times, or limited accessibility. In contrast, the method introduced utilizes various excitation methods in combination with shearographic evaluation to derive procedures for depth estimation of subsurface defects. Recent developments in Shearography have enhanced the method’s robustness and industrial applicability. By detecting the surface deformation behavior in the nanometer range under defined loading, depth-related characteristics of hidden defects can be extracted. Loading can be
Bastgen, ValentinPlaßmann, JessicaPetry, Christophervon Freymann, GeorgSchuth, Michael
Edge detection is fundamental for intelligent vehicle applications, directly supporting ADAS functions such as lane detection, obstacle recognition, and scene understanding. The conventional Canny edge detection method exhibits notable shortcomings, especially in color-image processing, adaptive threshold selection, and preserving edge integrity under noisy conditions. In this study, we present an enhanced Canny edge detection framework tailored for ADAS-oriented intelligent vehicle systems, incorporating a quaternion-based weighted averaging scheme for color preservation, adaptive thresholds derived from gradient-amplitude histograms, multiscale edge localization via scale multiplication, and a novel gravitational-field-intensity operator for improved gradient robustness. Moreover, we extend the method to vanishing-point estimation an essential ADAS capability by performing precise intersection calculations combined with clustering techniques such as DBSCAN and RANSAC. Experimental
Uppala, Rohit RajKaye, MuraliZadeh, MehrdadTan, Teik-Khoon
High-fidelity 3D reconstruction of large-scale urban scenes is critical for autonomous driving perception and simulation. Existing neural rendering methods, including NeRF and Gaussian-based variants, often face challenges like unstable geometry, noisy motion segmentation, and poor performance under sparse viewpoints or varying illumination. This paper presents a self-supervised Gaussian-based framework to address these challenges, enabling robust static–dynamic decomposition and real-time scene reconstruction. The proposed method introduces three innovations: (1) a semantic–geometric feature fusion module that combines semantic context and geometric cues for reliable motion prior estimation; (2) a cross-sequence geometric consistency constraint that enforces depth and surface continuity across time and viewpoints; (3) an efficient Gaussian parameter optimization strategy that stabilizes geometry by jointly constraining scale and normal updates. Experiments on the Waymo Open Dataset
Feng, RunleiWang, NingZhang, Zhihao
This research investigates the alterations in microstructure, microhardness, and joint strength resulting from the dissimilar friction stir welding (FSW) of WE43 magnesium alloy to AA7075 aluminium alloy. The study specifically analyses the role of FSW process parameters in the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs), the evolution of grain structure, the resultant microhardness distribution across the weld zone, and the joint tensile strength. A comprehensive microstructural characterization was performed utilizing optical microscopy (OM), field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These analyses confirmed significant grain refinement in the stir zone and the identification of various IMCs at the weld interface. Microhardness mapping indicated a gradient profile, with the weld nugget exhibiting superior hardness attributed to its dynamically recrystallized
Ahmad, TariqKhan, Noor ZamanAhmad, BabarSiddiquee, Arshad Noor
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems are essential for autonomous driving (AD) and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), providing accurate 3D perception of the surrounding environment. However, their performance significantly deteriorates under adverse weather conditions such as fog, where laser pulses are scattered by airborne particles, resulting in substantial noise and reduced ranging accuracy. This scattering effect makes it difficult to detect objects within or behind particulate matter, posing a serious challenge for reliable perception in real-world driving scenarios. To address this issue, we propose an algorithm that combines adaptive multi-echo signal processing with a feature-integrated, rule-based denoising framework to enhance LiDAR performance in noisy environments. The multi-echo approach selectively utilizes meaningful signal returns by evaluating both intensity and relative echo positions. Based on predefined rules, the algorithm identifies the echo most
Kaito, SeiyaZheng, ShengchaoFujioka, IbukiBeppu, Taro
To measure the fuel proportion within the lubricant film, an in-situ Raman spectroscopy technique was employed in a specially modified single-cylinder direct-injection spark-ignition engine. The engine block was engineered for optical access with a fused silica window, enabling a focused laser beam to probe the lubricant film on the engine liner under motoring conditions. The lubricant used was GTL8 base oil with ZDDP additive, and iso-octane was injected as a model fuel to study fuel-lubricant mixing. A calibration curve was established by recording Raman spectra of known mixtures of GTL8 oil and iso-octane. The Raman intensity ratio of the iso-octane peak to the oil peak was used as a quantitative indicator of fuel concentration. During engine operation, Raman spectra were acquired in real time, on a cycle-by-cycle basis, through the optical window. Upon iso-octane injection, its characteristic Raman peak appeared in the spectrum, and the intensity ratio was referenced against the
Bolle, BastienAugoye, KobiWong, JanetAleiferis, PavlosHall, JonathanBassett, MikeCracknell, Roger
Oil churning and windage power losses in dip-lubricated gearboxes can significantly affect overall transmission efficiency, particularly at high rotational speeds. As modern gearbox systems are pushed toward higher efficiency and reliability, understanding and predicting these losses becomes increasingly important. In addition to energy dissipation, the associated multiphase flow phenomena—such as oil splashing, thin film formation along gear surfaces, and aeration of the sump—strongly influence lubrication effectiveness, heat transfer, and component durability. Capturing these effects requires a robust numerical strategy that can resolve both power loss mechanisms and multiphase flow dynamics with sufficient accuracy. In this study, a single spur gear is numerically analyzed under varying oil depths and rotational speeds to quantify total power loss and investigate oil flow patterns. The computational approach employs a volume-of-fluid multiphase framework, and the predictions are
Mahyawansi, Pratik J.Haria, HiralPandey, AshutoshKhajeh Hosseini D, Navvab
Pedestrian fatalities in traffic accidents continue to rise, with severe injuries often resulting from both vehicle impact and subsequent ground contact, frequently occurring outside the field of view of vehicle-mounted cameras. This study presents a proof-of-concept (PoC) approach for reconstructing three-dimensional pedestrian motion—including occluded regions—using dashcam video. The method integrates 2D human pose estimation (MMPose) and monocular depth estimation (Depth Anything V2),the latter was fine-tuned on a custom dataset, to generate 3D skeletal coordinates.To evaluate motion matching, the reconstructed pedestrian poses were quantitatively compared with a database of vehicle collision simulations using the THUMS human body model and skeletal data representing real-world crash scenarios generated in PC-Crash. Composite similarity indices based on thoracic center of gravity trajectory and torso orientation vectors were employed for this comparison. Preliminary results
Onishi, KojiWang, KewangUno, ErikoIchikawa, KojiTanase, NoboruAndo, Takahiro
This paper reports on the Catesby Aero Research Facility (CARF), which began commercial operation in 2019, and summarizes facility characteristics and associated measurement technologies, with an emphasis on vehicle-mounted component-force measurement devices. CARF is a proving ground converted from a former railway tunnel approximately 2.74 km in length and surfaced with high-quality tarmac. The road-surface quality was specified to be comparable to that of SUBARU's proving ground and was achieved using established construction methods. The course is approximately straight with a small longitudinal grade. Key course specifications include an approximately 40 m2 blockage area, a 6 m road width (maximum 8.4 m), flatness σ < 0.5 mm, and a gradient of 0.57%. Relative to outdoor coast-down testing, the tunnel length enables continuous measurement to very low speeds, thereby improving repeatability. A six-component force sensor integrated into the hub unit enables on-road measurement of
Shimoyama, Hiroshi
Reliable environmental perception under adverse and contaminated conditions is a critical requirement for autonomous driving systems. Although LiDAR sensors play a central role in such perception, their performance is significantly degraded by surface contamination caused by environmental factors such as rain, snow, dust, anti-icing materials, and bug splatter impacts. However, most existing public datasets and prior studies rely on simulated or laboratory-generated contamination scenarios, which limit their applicability to real-world autonomous driving. To address this gap, we construct a large-scale real-world dataset collected from approximately 22,000 km of on-road driving across diverse regions of the United States, covering a wide range of naturally occurring environmental contamination conditions. The dataset was acquired using a multimodal sensing platform integrating LiDAR, perception RGB cameras, infrared camera sensors, and external monitoring systems, enabling
Kim, Hunjae
Reliable component libraries are the foundation of the engineering process and the starting point for all intelligence within CAD tools. In practice, however, libraries created and maintained by librarians often contain incomplete, inconsistent, or outdated data. This paper introduces the component data consistency and relationship inference AI system, developed within Amoeba software, which addresses these challenges by improving component library quality. The system uses AI to infer component attributes such as component type, gender, color, material, etc. Moreover, it can identify relationships such as the family a connector is associated with based on its attributes and geometry. The system improves data consistency in areas such as resolving mismatched wire size constraints imposed by the connector and cavity components. It also utilizes computer vision to identify common connector footprints, cavity sizes, and 2D symbol geometries. Deployed within Amoeba software, the system has
Phan, DungHorvat, Bryan
Computed tomography (CT) is a valuable diagnostic technique for visualizing spray plume direction and assessing mixture quality within combustion chambers under engine-relevant conditions. High-speed extinction imaging followed by tomographic reconstruction enables temporally and spatially resolved measurements of liquid volume fraction and plume evolution in multi-plume sprays. Traditionally, tomographic reconstruction requires capturing multiple angular views by rotating the injector and averaging over numerous injections to ensure statistical convergence. This process is time-intensive, particularly due to the large volume of data acquisition and the corresponding delays in data saving, particularly when acquiring many injections per view angle. In this study, we investigate the minimum number of injections required to achieve sufficient CT image quality, thereby significantly reducing experimental time. Two injectors are evaluated: a symmetric 8-hole Spray M injector from the
Yi, JunghwaWan, KevinPickett, Lyle
Sparse Stream DETR 3D object detection has become pivotal in autonomous driving, and previous methods achieve remarkable performance by aggregating temporal information, which also face a balance problem of precision and efficiency. Knowledge distillation offers a promising solution to enhance the efficiency of a small model without incurring computational overhead; however, previous methods lack the exploration of the Temporal Distillation knowledge for the DETR detector. This paper designs a novel Temporal DETR Query Guidance paradigm to impart temporal relation knowledge from a powerful teacher model to enable the student to associate object states across time, leverage historical context. The teacher’s queries grasp the temporal knowledge through self-attention, and the backbone uses the EVA-02 large-scale image model. The student utilizes the teacher's self-attention layer and its own learnable queries to compute the attention as its guidance and mimics the feature interaction
Yan, Yixiong
A digital parking map with precise parking spot geospatial information is crucial for tasks such as automatic valet parking, parking spot recommendations, and parking route optimization. This paper presents a parking map generation scheme that extracts high-definition parking spot geometry from remote sensing images. These images often suffer from occlusion, inconsistent resolution, and varying luminosity conditions. The proposed scheme utilizes a model ensemble paradigm, integrating multiple machine learning models to enhance the accuracy and quality of the generation of parking maps. The experiments demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves an 80.5% parking spot detection precision and a center-to-center geometric representation error of 0.93 meters.
Shukla, AjiteshCao, XiaofeiLiu, YongkangTakeuchi, YusukeSisbot, Akin
The discharge characteristics of ignition systems critically influence flame kernel formation and ignition stability under lean-burn conditions. This study experimentally compares a transistor coil ignition (TCI) and a capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) system in a constant-volume combustion chamber using hydrogen–air mixtures. The electrical behavior of both systems was first characterized through synchronized measurements of voltage, current, and high-speed imaging under various operating conditions with a resistive spark plug. The CDI system exhibited high-current (≈750 mA), short-duration (≈250 μs) discharges with strong instantaneous power but limited total spark-gap energy (≈5 mJ), while the TCI system produced lower-current, longer-duration (≈3 ms) discharges with higher cumulative energy (≈30 mJ). Flow-field tests revealed that the TCI discharge duration and energy release were strongly influenced by airflow, whereas CDI discharge behavior remained largely unchanged at flow
Cong, BinghaoJin, LongYu, XiaoZhou, QingTjong, JimiZheng, Ming
Cycle-to-cycle variation (CCV) of combustion is an issue that inevitably arises in internal combustion engines. There is a need to clarify and improve the situation, as well as predict it using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This study involved carrying out experimental analyses of the factors that cause combustion cycle fluctuations, as well as predicting the CCV of gas flow using RANS. To elucidate the CCV in gas flow and combustion within gasoline engine, simultaneous TR-PIV, PLIF and direct-photography of flame propagation were performed using an optical single-cylinder engine, CCV prediction model for gas flow using RANS was verified. The results revealed the following: The variation in the equivalence ratio per cycle has little effect on initial combustion but does influence IMEP. Evaluating the laminar flame speed, SL and turbulent flame speed, ST as factors determining initial combustion revealed almost no correlation with SL, while moderate correlations were observed
Hokimoto, SatoshiMoriyoshi, YasuoKuboyama, Tatsuya
This paper presents a comparative study of three widely used cloud platforms, Google Colab, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services (AWS), for running a real-time cooperative perception system based on roadside unit (RSU) cameras. The goal is to evaluate the performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency of each platform when handling high-volume video data for object detection, a key task in autonomous driving. A unified perception pipeline using the YOLOv8 Small model was deployed on all platforms, with the same dataset and settings to ensure fair comparison. The evaluation focused on key metrics such as latency, frame processing rate, detection accuracy, cost, scalability, and reliability. The results show that Google Colab is a cost-effective starting point but has limitations in uptime and scalability. Azure offers stable performance and balanced cost, making it suitable for medium-scale applications. AWS delivers the best scalability and speed but at a higher cost. This study
Alkharabsheh, EkhlassAlawneh, ShadiRawashdeh, Osamah
This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) will specify what type of NVGs are required and minimum requirements for compatible crew station lighting, aircraft exterior lighting such as anti-collision lights, and position/navigation lights that are “NVG compatible.” Also, this document is intended to set standards for NVG utilization for aircraft so that special use aircraft such as the Coast Guard, Border Patrol, Air Rescue, Police Department, Medivacs, etc., will be better equipped to chase drug smugglers and catch illegal immigrants, rescue people in distress, reduce high-speed chases through city streets by police, etc. Test programs and pilot operator programs are required. For those people designing or modifying civil aircraft to be NVG compatible, the documents listed in 2.1.3 are essential.
A-20A Crew Station Lighting
A new Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) grating modulator has been developed, offering significant advancements in optical efficiency and scalability for communication systems. By integrating a tunable sinusoidal grating with broadside-constrained continuous ribbons, a large-scale aperture of 30 × 30 mm is achieved and supports high-speed modulation up to 250 kHz.
Multimodal sensors, capable of simultaneously acquiring multiple physical or chemical signals, have shown broad application potential in fields such as health monitoring, soft robotics, and energy systems. However, current multimodal sensors often suffer from complex fabrication processes and signal decoupling challenges, which limit their practical deployment. To address these issues, this work presents a thin-film temperature–strain multimodal sensor (FTSMS) fabricated via laser processing. The temperature-sensing unit, based on the Seebeck effect, achieves a sensitivity of 9.08 μV/°C, while the strain-sensing unit, utilizing BaTiO₃/AlN@PDMS as the sensitive layer, exhibits a gauge factor (GF) of 43.2. By integrating distinct sensing mechanisms (thermovoltage for temperature and capacitance change for strain), the FTSMS enables self-decoupled measurements over 20–90 °C. Applied in LIB monitoring, it successfully captures real-time temperature and strain variations during charge
Wang, ZiweiLi, ZhenglinGao, YangXuan, Fuzhen
With high energy density and long cycle life, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are currently the most promising electrochemical devices for electric vehicles and energy storage. However, the safety and reliability of LIBs can be significantly compromised in low-temperature cyclic due to anode lithium plating and other factors which are still unclear. Therefore, it is essential to reveal the thermal-gas stability of LIBs under low-temperature cyclic. This study investigates the thermal runaway (TR) characteristics and gas production characteristics after TR of 18650-type NCA LIBs across four states of health (SOH), from 100% to 70%. Using Glove box, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Accelerating rate calorimetry, and Gas chromatography, the research identifies critical trends in temperature rate, gas composition and explosion risk. After around 150 cycles, there is a significant and rapid decline in capacity. The internal
Wang, HailongWu, SenmingLuan, WeilingChen, Haofeng
This paper presents a novel AI-based parking management system designed to enhance efficiency, reduce manual intervention, and optimize operational costs in modern parking facilities. By integrating computer vision with infrared (IR) sensors, the system continuously monitors parking areas in real time, accurately detecting vehicle occupancy and dynamically updating the space availability. The hybrid approach minimizes reliance on conventional sensors, improving accuracy and environmental robustness. Additional features include intelligent navigation assistance guiding drivers to available spots and integrated video surveillance for enhanced security through AI-driven suspicious activity detection. The user interface provides real-time updates ensuring a seamless and convenient parking experience. Overall, this system offers a comprehensive solution that advances parking technology through automation, real-time monitoring, and secure, user-friendly operation.
N, KalaiarasiGupta, ShivanshHajarnis, MihirAnand, Vikas
Dooring accidents occur when a vehicle door is opened into the path of an approaching cyclist, motorcyclist, or other road user, often causing serious collisions and injuries. These incidents are a major road safety concern, particularly in densely populated urban areas where heavy traffic, narrow roads, and inattentive behavior increase the likelihood of such events. To address this challenge, this project presents an intelligent computer vision based warning system designed to detect approaching vehicles and alert occupants before they open a door. The system can operate using either the existing rear parking camera in a vehicle or a USB webcam in vehicles without such a feature. The captured live video stream is processed by a Raspberry Pi 4 microprocessor, chosen for its compact size, low power consumption, and ability to support machine learning frameworks. The video feed is analyzed in real time using MobileNetSSD, a lightweight deep learning object detection model optimized
C, JegadheesanT, KarthiGurusamy, Varun SankarBalraj, TharunMurugaiya, Tamilselvan
Speed bump detection through computer vision and deep learning is essential for advancing active suspension preview control and intelligent driving. Although substantial progress has been made in this field, there remains a need to enhance detection accuracy while reducing computational demands. This article introduces a novel single-stage speed bump detector, the Speed Bump Detector Based on You Only Look Once (SBD-YOLO), which utilizes the YOLOv9 architecture for speed bump identification. To better capture the deep global features of speed bumps, we propose an innovative convolutional module—specifically, a lightweight building block designed for efficient feature extraction—named the Aggregated-MBConv. Furthermore, we design a new YOLO backbone by stacking Mobile Inverted Bottleneck Convolution (MBConv) and Aggregated-MBConv modules, which reduces computational cost while enhancing detection accuracy. Additionally, we introduce a Squeeze-aggregated Excitation (SaE) attention
Mao, RuichiWu, JianWu, YukaiWang, HuiliangLi, JunWu, Guangqiang
Accurate trajectory prediction of traffic agents is critical for enabling safer and more reliable autonomous driving, particularly in urban driving scenarios where close-range interactions are most safety critical. High-definition (HD) and standard-definition (SD) maps play a vital role in this process by providing lane topology and directional cues for forecasting agent movements. However, HD maps are expensive and resource-intensive to create, often requiring specialized sensors, while SD maps lack the precision needed for reliable autonomous navigation. To address this, we propose a novel framework for trajectory prediction that leverages online reconstruction of HD maps using vehicle-mounted cameras, offering a scalable and cost-effective alternative. Our method achieves improvements in predicting accuracy, particularly in close-range scenarios, the most crucial for urban driving, while also performing robustly in settings without pre-built maps. Furthermore, we introduce a new
Upreti, MinaliGirijal, RahulB A, NaveenKumarThontepu, PhaniGhosh, ShankhanilChakraborty, BodhisattwaBhardwaj, Ritik
Recent regulations limiting brake dust emissions have presented many challenges to the brake engineering community. The objective of this paper is to provide a low cost, mass production solution utilizing well known existing technologies to meet brake emissions requirements. The proposed process is to alloy the Gray Cast Iron with Niobium and subsequently Ferritic Nitrocarburize (FNC) the disc. The Niobium addition will improve the wear resistance of the FNC case, reducing wear debris. The test methodology included: 1. Manufacture of disc samples alloyed with Niobium, 2. Finish machining and ferritic nitrocarburizing and 3. Evaluation of airborne wear debris utilizing a pin-on-disc tribometer equipped with emission collection capability. The airborne emission and wear surfaces were further analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive techniques (SEM-EDS), X-Ray Diffraction and Optical Microscopy. The cast iron test matrix included four groups; Unalloyed eutectic 4.3
Barile, BernardoHolly, Mike
In a developing country like India, the growing energy demand across all sectors underscores the urgent need for clean, sustainable, and efficient energy alternatives. Hydrogen stands out as a promising fuel, offering virtually zero emissions and helping to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which directly contributes to mitigating global warming, ensuring a cleaner environment, and lowering dependency on fossil fuels. In line with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which seeks to guarantee that everyone has access to modern, cheap, and sustainable energy, hydrogen is well-positioned to be a major player in India's energy transformation. However, hydrogen has unique properties such as its wide flammability range, high reactivity, and high energy content present significant challenges in terms of safety, particularly in its storage, transportation, and usage. Improper handling or inadequate safety measures can lead to hazardous incidents, making robust testing, certification
Pawar, YuvrajDekate, Ajay DinkarThipse, SBelavadi Venkataramaiah, Shamsundara
In modern four-wheelers, seat suspension systems play a crucial role in enhancing occupant comfort by mitigating the effects of road unevenness and vibrations. Among these systems, active suspension mechanisms offer advanced performance through complex assemblies involving welded, riveted, and bolted joints. This study investigates the failure of an air spring bracket - a critical component of a pneumatic active suspension system - manufactured by Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) of two dissimilar ferrous materials which are likely to be SAPH440 and S355J2. These different materials were used based on mechanical properties required to perform by their particular part. System level validation tests were conducted to ensure the reliability of the seat suspension system. The one of the validation tests is continuous cyclic fatigue test which is carried out on the complete seat assembly. However, during vibration / cyclic endurance testing, premature failures were observed near the weld joints
Patale Jr, ReshmaPinjari, Jayant NamdevBali, Shirish
Computer vision has evolved from a supportive driver-assistance tool into a core technology for intelligent, non-intrusive occupant health monitoring in modern vehicles. Leveraging deep learning, edge optimization, and adaptive image processing, this work presents a dual-module Driver Health and Wellness Monitoring System that simultaneously performs fatigue detection and emotional wellbeing assessment using existing in-cabin RGB cameras without requiring additional sensors or intrusive wearables. The fatigue module employs MediaPipe-based facial and skeletal landmark analysis to track Eye Aspect Ratio (EAR), Mouth Aspect Ratio (MAR), head posture, and gaze dynamics, detecting early drowsiness and postural deviations. Adaptive, driver-specific thresholds combined with CAN-bus data fusion minimize false positives, achieving over 92% detection accuracy even under variable lighting and demographics. The emotional wellbeing module analyzes micro-expressions and facial action units to
Iqbal, ShoaibImteyaz, Shahma
Hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubbers (HNBR) and their derivatives have gained significant importance in automotive compressed natural gas (CNG) valve applications. In one of the four-wheelers, CNG valve application, HNBR elastomeric diaphragms are being used for their excellent sealing and pressure regulation properties. The HNBR elastomeric diaphragm was developed to sustain CNG higher pressure However, it was found permanently deformed under lower pressures. In this research work, number of experiments was carried out to find out the primary root cause of diaphragm permanent deformation and to prevent the failure for safe usage of the CNG gas. HNBR diaphragm deformation investigation was carried out using advanced qualitative and quantitative analysis methods such as Soxhlet Extraction Column, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). For
Patil, Bhushan GulabNAIKWADI, AMOLMali, ManojTata, Srikanth
The exceptional strength, formability, and weldability of S550MC steel sheets make them a cornerstone material in the automotive industry. These properties translate into the creation of high-performance automotive components like chassis parts, structural reinforcements, ultimately contributing to enhanced vehicle safety and overall performance. Furthermore, S550MC steel boasts excellent fatigue resistance, a critical factor for ensuring long-term reliability in demanding automotive applications that experience repeated stress cycles. However, optimizing the performance of S550MC components depends on a fine understanding of the critical relationship between hole edge quality and fatigue failure. This study highlights the impact of hole-piercing clearance on the edge quality of the hole in modified fatigue samples manufactured from S550MC steel, and its effect on fatigue life. The surface morphology was characterized by using stereoscope for edge quality of hole piercing operation
Nahalde, SujayHingalje, AbhijeetUghade, VikasSingh, UditaMore, Hemant
Vehicle door-related accidents, especially in urban environments, pose a significant safety risk to pedestrians, infrastructure and vehicle occupants. Conventional rear view systems fails to detect obstacles in blind spots directly below the Outside Rear View Mirror (ORVM), leading to unintended collisions during door opening. This paper presents a novel vision-based obstacle detection system integrated into the ORVM assembly. It utilizes the monocular camera and a projection-based reference image technique. The system captures real-time images of the ground surface near the door and compares them with calibrated reference projections to detect deviations caused by obstacles such as pavements, potholes or curbs. Once such an obstacle is detected the vehicle user is alerted in the form of a chime.
Bhuyan, AnuragKhandekar, DhirajJahagirdar, Shweta
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is radically transforming the automotive industry, particularly in the domain of passenger vehicles where personalization, safety, diagnostics, and efficiency. This paper presents an exploration of AI/ML applications through quadrant of the key pillars: Customer Experience (CX), Vehicle Diagnostics, Lifecycle Management, and Connected Technologies. Through detailed use cases, including AI-powered active suspension systems, intelligent fault code prioritization, and eco-routing strategies, we demonstrate how AI models such as machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision are reshaping both the user experience and engineering workflow of modern electric vehicles (EVs). This paper combines simulations, pseudo-algorithms and data-centric examples of the combined depth of functionality and deployment readiness of these technologies. In addition to technical effectiveness, the paper also discusses the challenges at field level in adopting AI at scale i.e
Hazra, SandipTangadpalliwar, SonaliKhan, Arkadip
Accurate and realistic simulation of LiDAR data is critical for the development and validation of autonomous driving systems. However, existing simulation approaches often suffer from a significant sim-to-real gap due to oversimplified modelling of physical interactions and environmental factors. In this work, we present a physics-informed deep learning framework that bridges this gap by enhancing the realism of simulated LiDAR data using generative adversarial networks guided by domain-specific physical constraints for LiDAR intensity. Our method incorporates key physical factors such as range, surface material properties, angle of incidence, and environmental conditions along with their underlying physical relationships as constraints into the Cycle-Consistent GAN architecture, enabling it to learn realistic transformations from synthetic to real-world LiDAR intensity data without requiring paired samples. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach across multiple datasets
Anand, VivekYadav, SouravLimba, MohitPandey, GauravLohani, Bharat
The automotive industry is rapidly advancing towards autonomous vehicles, making sensors such as Cameras, LiDAR, and RADAR critical components for ensuring constant information exchange between the vehicle and its surrounding environment. However, these sensors are vulnerable to harsh environmental conditions like rain, dirt, snow, and bird droppings, which can impair their functionality and disrupt accurate vehicle maneuvers. To ensure all sensors operate effectively, dedicated cleaning is implemented, particularly for Level 3 and higher autonomous vehicles. It is important to test sensor cleaning mechanisms across different weather conditions and vehicle operating scenarios to ensure reliability and performance. One crucial aspect of testing is tracking the trajectory of the cleaning fluid to ensure it does not cause self-soiling of vehicles and affects the field of view or visibility zones of other components like the windshield. While wind tunnel tests are valuable, digitalizing
Mane, SuvidyaMakam, Sri Lalith MadhavVarghese, RixsonDesu, Harsha
In area of modern manufacturing, ensuring product quality and minimizing defects are utmost important for maintaining competitive advantage and customer satisfaction. This paper presents an innovative approach to detect defect by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) models trained using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) data. Traditional defect detection methods often rely on physical inspection, which can be time-consuming and prone to human error. The conventional method of developing an AI model requires a physical part data, By utilizing CAD data, the time to develop an AI model and implementing it to production line station can be saved drastically. This approach involves the use of AI algorithms trained on CAD models to detect and classify defects in real-time. The field trial results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach in various industrial applications, highlighting its potential to revolutionize defect detection in manufacturing.
Kulkarni, Prasad RameshSahu, DilipJoshi, ChandrashekharKhatavkar, AkshayPoddar, ShivaniDeep, Amar
Potholes are a common road hazard that significantly compromise road safety. Water filled potholes can be particularly dangerous. These hidden hazards may cause vehicles to hydroplane [1], leading to a loss of control and potential collisions. At night or in low visibility conditions, such potholes can appear deceptively shallow, increasing the risk of severe suspension damage or tire blowouts. Additionally, deep water intrusion can affect critical components such as the exhaust system, air intake, or electrical wiring, potentially leading to engine stalling or short circuits. This research proposes a novel approach for identifying and determining the depth of potholes, especially those that are filled with water. By integrating YOLO, cutting edge computer vision methods like stereo imaging and Lidar. We hope to create a system that can precisely detect and evaluate potholes' severity, reducing the risks connected to these road hazards. A structured 2k factorial Design of Experiment
Ashok, DeekshaKumar, PradeepSingh, Amandeep
The objective of this study was to examine the effect of Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) of automotive LED headlamps on driver’s visibility and comfort during night driving. The experiment was conducted on different headlamps having different correlated colour temperatures ranging from 5000K to 6500K in laboratory. Further study was conducted involving participants of different age group and genders for understanding their perception to identify objects when observed in light of different LED headlamps with different CCTs. Studies have shown that both Correlated Colour Temperature and illumination level affect driver’s alertness and performance. Further study required on headlamps with automatically varying CCT to get better solution on driver’s visibility and safety.
Patil, Mahendra G.Kirve, JyotiParlikar, Padmakumar
Vibration is one of the prominent factors that determine the quality & comfort level of a vehicle. Moreover, if vibration occurs in areas that are almost entirely within customer touchpoints, it could become a critical factor behind vehicle comfort and affects the brand image within the market negatively. The interior rear-view mirror (IRVM) is one of the important components inside passenger cabin, providing drivers with a clear view of the rear traffic. However, vibrations induced by engine operation, road irregularities, and aerodynamic forces can cause the IRVM to oscillate, leading to image blurriness and compromised visibility and safety. This paper investigates the underlying causes of IRVM vibration and its impact on rear visibility. Through experimental analysis we identify key factors contributing to mirror instability. The findings indicate the specific frequencies of vibration, particularly those resonating with the mirror's natural frequency, significantly exacerbating
Khan, Aamir NavedSaraswat, VivekJha, KartikSingh, HemendraSeenivasan, GokulramKhan, Nafees
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