Exterior sensing
Precise LiDAR, infrared and ambient-light sensing technologies enabling ADAS functions, lighting automation and handsfree convenience.
Exterior sensing technologies for safer, smarter vehicle operation
Modern vehicles rely on a growing range of exterior sensing technologies to enhance safety, support driver‑assistance systems, and increase overall comfort. Lasers are a key element of LiDAR sensors, delivering precise 3D environmental data for advanced driver‑assistance (ADAS) and automated‑driving functions.
In addition, infrared emitters, infrared detectors and ambient‑light sensors enable accurate rain, light and tunnel sensing, allowing the vehicle to automatically activate headlights, adjust lighting levels, or adapt climate‑control settings based on sunlight conditions.
For everyday convenience features, capacitive proximity sensors detect touch and motion to enable functions such as hands‑free trunk opening (kick sensing) and easy vehicle entry.
Exterior sensing for ADAS
High-performance infrared emitters and sensors designed for reliable object, presence and distance detection in advanced driver-assistance systems.
Rain light tunnel sensing
Automotive-grade optical sensors enable accurate ambient, rain and tunnel detection to support automated lighting and wiper control.
Exterior sensing technologies for light, rain & tunnel sensing
As part of exterior sensing, several optical sensing concepts are used to automate vehicle functions and improve comfort and safety.
- Rain sensing uses an infrared LED in combination with an infrared photodiode. The infrared light is coupled into the windshield glass and measured by the photodiode. When raindrops are present on the windshield, part of the infrared light escapes the glass surface, reducing the detected signal. This difference in returned infrared light allows the system to determine the amount of rain and automatically adjust the windshield wipers.
- Tunnel sensing relies on a visible‑spectrum photodiode with a field of view aligned in the driving direction. As a vehicle enters a tunnel, the detected light level drops rapidly. The vehicle controller interprets this reduction and activates the headlights to maintain safe visibility.
- Solar‑load sensing uses an infrared photodiode to measure incoming sunlight so that the air‑conditioning system can adjust climate settings based on how much solar heating affects the interior of the vehicle.
Similarly, ambient‑light sensing uses dedicated ambient‑light sensors — often with spectral sensitivity similar to that of the human eye — to adapt the brightness of interior ambient lighting, functional lighting, and display backlighting to the surrounding light conditions.