I-SPOT · Intelligent Ultra Low-Power Signal Processing for Automotive

Intelligent Ultra Low-Power Signal Processing for Automotive

While traditional cars relied solely on the senses of their drivers – mostly their eyes and ears –, the car of today is equipped with more and more sensors. Self-driving cars come within reach by equipping cars with their own set of eyes, in the form of LIDARs and cameras. Yet, to become truly aware of their environment, such smart cars are still missing an invaluable input on which we, as humans, rely strongly: the acoustic information. I-SPOT targets the addition of acoustic sensing technology to cars, to bring enhanced environmental awareness. This acoustic information complements the information from other sensory technologies. In active (drive) mode, this will give information about nearby emergency vehicles, accidents, passing cars, etc., which are currently causing major disruptions of autonomous and computer assisted driving. Moreover, information on weather conditions, or mechanical car wear or failure is present in the acoustic signal. More than just detection of the nature of the sound, also the direction can be derived, and this even for visually occluded sources. In passive (park) mode, information can be obtained on car damaging, theft, or nearby critical events (e.g. cry for help). The acoustic sensor can as such form the low-cost wake-up trigger to direct the more power-hungry camera system to activate and point in a specific direction.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union