Windshield Integration of Thermal and Color Fusion for Automatic Emergency Braking in Low Visibility Conditions

Abstract

The new NHSTA regulations require Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems to operate at night, to protect pedestrians in the deadliest conditions. We propose thermal imaging as a new sensor to complement the AEB sensor suite, alongside the visible front camera and RADAR. This paper explores the benefits of visible-thermal fusion, proposes a windshield integration for such a system, and evaluates the minimum performance requirements for a thermal camera compliant with the NHSTA standards, based on a field study of pedestrian detection range.