Autonomous vehicles are at the forefront of development because they may generate quick economic gains. The construction industry is taking advantage of this progress and is also moving closer to widespread self-driving vehicles.
This discussion often references two types of sensing technology: radar and LIDAR. Many people have basic knowledge of radar and how it operates, but many have not heard of LIDAR. Both technologies are currently being used in the development and advancement of tele-remote and autonomous vehicle fields.
Radar
High-resolution imaging radar, otherwise known as 4D radar, can provide point-cloud images of vehicles and their surrounding environment. This enables algorithms to recognize humans, equipment and other stationary objects in the sensor’s range of monitoring.
4D radar has a wider field of vision, allowing for recognition on the sides of vehicles. Sensors can identify the location of objects, and information concerning range, speed and elevation, up to 300 meters.
This type of radar is very durable and works well in typical jobsite conditions. High-resolution imaging radar can penetrate dust, rain, snow and fog. This type of imaging also solves the current problem of high-resolution and low field of vision, versus low-resolution and wide field of vision. However, it still does not create the same level of imaging resolution as LIDAR.
LIDAR
LIDAR has the same principles as radar, but uses light from a laser, a scanner and GPS receiver to create images. It’s an optical remote-sensing technology that can measure distance to other features by illuminating the target with pulses of light, then measuring the reflected pulses with a sensor.
LIDAR produces the image closest to that of the human eye. The image is generated in 3D representations and is instantaneously interpreted by computer algorithms—allowing the control units to react and respond in collaboration with other systems.
The technology works in normal jobsite operating conditions, but in more severe conditions, the image quality is significantly degraded. This means LIDAR cannot be used as the only sensing system on construction equipment.
Combined radar and LIDAR
For many years, the autonomous vehicle industry has been using collaborative systems, such as radar and LIDAR. It fuses these two solutions together to provide the best environmental mapping available. The combined sensors, along with their algorithms, can decide the best method sensing based on environmental conditions. These systems can seamlessly switch between radar and LIDAR.
This type of collaborative sensing is becoming available in the heavy construction market. Construction professionals believe this technology can help reduce costs, improve efficiency and safety, and address staffing challenges.
