Velodyne demonstrates LiDAR technology for improving pedestrian safety

Velodyne Lidar, Inc. showed how with lidar technology, Pedestrian Automated Emergency Braking (PAEB) systems can be significantly improved, with the potential to save thousands of lives annually.

Velodyne released a new video that showcases how its lidar-based PAEB solution delivers its performance in all conditions, a decisive advantage over radar+camera-based systems. This is especially critical in the dark with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reporting 80 percent of pedestrian fatalities to occur during dark lighting conditions.

The Velodyne video presents striking test results. These results support independent testing by NHTSA and the American Automobile Association (AAA) to confirm whether PAEB systems that use radar+camera-based technology adequately protect pedestrians in dark conditions.

The Velodyne PAEB solution combines proprietary software, called Vella, with Velodyne’s lidar sensors. The sensors can be easily embedded in a variety of places around a vehicle, including behind the windshield. Vella software interprets lidar data to avoid and mitigate crashes with moving and static objects. Through predictive collision monitoring, Vella compares a vehicle’s trajectory with other road users and objects to identify and avoid imminent crash scenarios.