TuSimple has developed a proprietary automotive-grade camera and vision system that will be deployed on its autonomous customer fleet by Q3 2019.

Expected to go into volume production in Q2 2019, the system offers “enhanced reliability of autonomous operation,” according to TuSimple. The company adds that the system is a necessary step in its goal of commercializing the first driverless truck.

Equipped with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation's automotive CMOS image sensor, the custom designed camera system facilitates reliable night and low light autonomous operation. TuSimple says that adding nighttime operation to its 1,000 meter perception system will allow fleets to increase truck utilization from an average of 50 percent (12 hours per day) to an average of over 80 percent.

“Bringing reliable nighttime and low light operation to current perception systems in the market is an important step in the viability of autonomous driving, which is a strategic focus for us,” says Tsutomu Haruta, Automotive Business Division Deputy SGM, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation.

“We're pleased that TuSimple, the leading self-driving truck company appreciates the cutting-edge technology that Sony is known for.”

Utilizing Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation's automotive CMOS image sensor, TuSimple has created a set of camera systems for short, medium and long range that use TuSimple's software to detect and process sharp images in real-time as far as 1,000 meters away.

The system helps address difficult imaging challenges such as instant light changes when entering and exiting tunnels, flaring during sunrise and sunset, and headlight glare, and it can also handle the LED flicker created by digital signage and traffic lights.

“The combined expertise of Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation and TuSimple has created a perception system that sees better than the human eye – night and day, rain or shine — in the most challenging driving conditions,” says Dr. Xiaodi Hou, founder, president and chief technology officer, TuSimple.

TuSimple points out that the new camera system is designed to Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL)-C, which, the company notes, is important for the validation of safety-related electronic systems that must be highly reliable in specific driving conditions as outlined in the ISO 26262 Functional Safety standard.

As the system integrator, Sunny Optics will not only test the product and module, but also develop and manufacture the automotive-grade product.