Pedestrian Detection Pedestrian Detection System
The Pedestrian Detection System is designed to minimize the risk of a vehicle colliding with pedestrians. The main function of the system is to timely detect the presence of people in the immediate vicinity of the machine. In this case, it automatically slows down the course of movement, which reduces the force of impact in the event of a collision. The effectiveness of Pedestrian Detection in car equipment has already been proven in practice: the risk of serious injury has been reduced by a third and the number of deaths for pedestrians in road accidents has been reduced by a quarter.
In general, this system performs three closely related functions:
- identification of people in the direction of the vehicle;
- signaling to the driver about the risk of collision;
- lowering the speed of movement to a minimum in automatic mode.
This system was developed back in the 1990s, but was used exclusively on military vehicles. For the first time in the automotive industry, a system called Pedestrian Detection was introduced in 2010 by Volvo.
Pedestrian recognition methods
The Pedestrian Detection System uses four methods, which together allow the system to obtain reliable data on the presence of a person in the area of human movement:
- Holistic detection. If a moving object is detected, the system initially fixes its dimensions. If computer analysis shows that the existing dimensions are similar to those of a person, and the infrared sensor indicates that the object is warm, that is, alive, then the system concludes that there is a person in the vehicle’s movement zone. However, holistic detection has many disadvantages, since several objects can enter the sensor zone at the same time.
- Partial discovery. In this case, the human figure itself is not considered as a whole, but as a combination of some elements. The Pedestrian Detection System analyzes the contours and location of body parts. Only after all the components are analyzed, the system concludes that there is a pedestrian. This method is more accurate, but requires more time to collect and analyze data.
- Sample detection. This is a relatively new method that combines the advantages of both holistic and partial recognition of pedestrians. The system is equipped with a large database that records information about possible body shapes, height, clothing color and other characteristics of people.
- Multiple camera detection. This method allows the use of individual surveillance cameras specifically for each pedestrian who crosses the road. The overall picture is divided into separate parts, each of which is individually analyzed for the risk of a possible collision with a person.
General principle of work
As soon as the sensors (or security cameras) detect the presence of a pedestrian along the trajectory as they move, Pedestrian Detection automatically determines the direction of its movement and speed, and then calculates the location of the person at the moment of maximum approach of the vehicle. The distance to a pedestrian, when cameras or sensors can recognize him, is quite large - up to forty meters.
When the computer system concludes that there is a person ahead, it immediately sends a corresponding signal to the display. If the system calculates that a collision is possible at the moment the car approaches a person, then it also gives a sound signal to the driver. If the driver immediately reacts to the warning (changes the trajectory of movement or starts emergency braking), then the Pedestrian Detection System enhances his actions using the emergency braking system on the road. In the event that the driver's reaction to the warning is absent or insufficient to avoid a direct collision, the system automatically brings the car to a complete stop.
Efficiency of application and existing disadvantages
Today, the Pedestrian Detection System guarantees complete traffic safety and eliminates the risk of collision with pedestrians at a speed not exceeding 35 kilometers per hour. If the vehicle is traveling at a higher speed, the system can reduce the force of the impact by slowing the vehicle down.
Vehicle operation indicators prove that the Pedestrian Detection System is indispensable in driving conditions on city streets, as it allows you to simultaneously control the location of several pedestrians moving along different trajectories.
You can appreciate the beauty of this option only on expensive cars. For the convenience of customers, FAVORIT MOTORS Group of Companies offers to sign up for a test drive of the Volvo S60, which is equipped with a pedestrian detection system. This will allow not only to test the new function in action, but also to feel the comfort of using it in the car. A powerful 245 horsepower sedan equipped with all-wheel drive is not only guaranteed to provide an easy ride, but also provides maximum conditions for personal and pedestrian safety.
However, the innovative pedestrian detection system has its drawbacks. One of the most significant shortcomings can be considered a complete inability to recognize people at night or in conditions of poor visibility. In some cases, the system can take for a pedestrian and a separate tree swaying from the wind.
In addition, to store a large program database, an increase in computer resources is required, which, in turn, increases the cost of the system. And this increases the cost of the vehicle.
At the moment, automakers are developing a more sophisticated pedestrian detection system device that can only work on Wi-Fi signals. This will reduce its cost and ensure the uninterrupted supply of information in the work.
