Search for European Projects

Fusing Far-Infrared and Near-Infrared Imaging for Pedestrian Injury Mitigation (FNIR)
Start date: Jan 1, 2008, End date: Oct 31, 2010 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Road accidents involving pedestrians are far more frequent at night than during the day. More than 12 000 pedestrians and cyclists are killed and almost 300 000 are seriously injured in the EU every year. The most important factor is the driver's dramatically reduced range of vision. Fewer pedestrians will be killed or seriously injured through improved driver warning strategies enabled by Night Vision systems with image analysis detecting pedestrians up to 120 m ahead.There are two types of night-vision technologies on the market: Far-Infrared (FIR) and Near-Infrared (NIR) systems. FIR systems are passive, detecting the thermal radiation at wavelengths in the interval 8-12 µm). NIR systems use a light source with a wavelength of around 0.8 µm to illuminate the object and then detect the reflected light. The main advantage of NIR systems is the picture resolution and that the picture is easy to understand for the driver. FIR systems on the other hand offer a superior range and pedestrian-detection capability. A wide use of both technologies is currently limited by the system cost.The objective of the project is to demonstrate the next generation Night Vision System with automatic detection of upcoming hazard at an affordable cost. Using a combined NIR/FIR system enable substantial system cost reduction and increased performance through sensor signal fusion. The combined system allow cost reduction through reduced FIR sensor resolution, computing capacity, innovative European technology for molded FIR optics and FIR detectors designed for mass fabrication.The partners in the consortium represent some of the world's leading organizations in their field of expertise. They also represent different levels in the value chain. Successful completion of the project will create European industrial exploitation opportunities. Such opportunities will include infrared detector technology, optical components and affordable Pedestrian Collision Avoidance Systems.
Up2Europe Ads

Coordinator

Details

Project Website

7 Partners Participants