Researchers from Jena have developed a low-cost, high-performance infrared camera for use in autonomous vehicles. The thermal imaging camera developed by Fraunhofer IOF operates in the wavelength range of 8 to 14 micrometres and thus detects the thermal radiation of people, regardless of the lighting conditions. It complements other sensor systems such as lidar and radar. The compact camera uses several small bolometer arrays, which are combined to form an overall image of 530 x 210 pixels with a field of view of 34 x 13 degrees. A special catadioptric lens ensures a flat design of just 10 millimeters. This allows the camera to score points with high light intensity (F/1.1) and angular resolution (16 pixels/degree), while at the same time keeping the design space-saving. Thanks to scalable manufacturing methods, production costs are low.
For comparison: the entire catadioptric optics take up only a fraction of a standard housing (shown here in gray) for conventional infrared cameras. (© Fraunhofer IOF)
From October 22 to 24, 2024, it was presented at the IZB Wolfsburg, where it was also shown how infrared images can be combined with visual camera images to better assess safety-relevant situations. (oe)
