Marcus Chen
BASF, a German chemical company, has developed functional pigments to improve LiDAR detection. LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a critical technology for autonomous vehicles and self-driving technology. It uses near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths to detect and receive data, but struggles with dark-coloured cars as the NIR radiation is absorbed. BASF has developed LiDAR-detectable coatings made with functional pigments to reduce NIR absorption and increase reflectance, which is crucial for advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving. BASF's coatings division offers a broad portfolio of high-performance coloured pigments, effect pigments, and resins for automotive, architectural, and industrial coatings, while also investing in R&D to enhance coating functionality and sustainability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Product | Paints and pigments for LiDAR |
| Purpose | To enhance the detecting function of autonomous cars |
| Technology | LiDAR sensors, radar waves, basecoats, primers, etc. |
| Features | Sustainable, highly reflective, corrosion-resistant, etc. |
| Benefits | Improved accuracy, enhanced driver assistance, reduced carbon emissions, etc. |
| Customers | GM, Ford, Chrysler, and foreign car manufacturers' transplants |
| Sales | Global sales of about $4.7 billion |
| Employees | Approximately 11,400 people globally |
| Sites | Over 70 sites worldwide |
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What You'll Learn
- LiDAR plays a critical role in developing autonomous vehicles and self-driving technology
- Carbon black-based pigments absorb NIR radiation, reducing LiDAR reflectance
- BASF leverages LiDAR-detectable coatings made with functional pigments to reduce NIR absorption
- BASF's R&D investments enhance coating functionality, improving transparency for radar waves and reflection for LiDAR sensors
- BASF supplies high-performance coloured pigments, resins, and raw materials for industrial coatings
LiDAR plays a critical role in developing autonomous vehicles and self-driving technology
Light Detection and Ranging, or LiDAR, is a technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create 3D maps of the environment. It has been applied in various sectors, including autonomous vehicles, geography, archaeology, and meteorology.
In the context of autonomous vehicles and self-driving technology, LiDAR plays a critical role in several ways. Firstly, it enables vehicles to detect objects in their surroundings, including road signs, traffic signals, and road markings. This information is crucial for real-time hazard analysis and ensuring the safe and effective operation of these vehicles. LiDAR's ability to generate high-resolution 3D maps of the environment in real time is a key advantage, providing detailed and precise data for autonomous systems to interpret.
Additionally, LiDAR technology has evolved to become more accessible and compact, moving away from the bulkier designs of the past. Solid-state LiDAR, for example, employs a solid-state laser and photodetector, resulting in a compact and reliable sensing solution. This makes it easier to integrate LiDAR into vehicles without detracting from their aesthetics.
Furthermore, advancements in LiDAR technology have led to the development of LiDAR-detectable coatings and pigments for automotive paint. This innovation addresses the challenge of detecting dark-coloured cars, which absorb near-infrared (NIR) radiation used by LiDAR. By leveraging functional pigments, such as those developed by BASF, the NIR reflectance of dark automotive paint colours can be increased, improving the detecting function of LiDAR on these vehicles.
While some, like Elon Musk, have argued for a cameras-only approach to autonomous driving, the majority of groups developing autonomous vehicles consider LiDAR a critical component of the sensor suite. LiDAR provides a level of detail and accuracy that cameras alone struggle to achieve. However, it is worth noting that a truly effective autonomous vehicle will likely require a multi-sensor perception system, integrating cameras, LiDAR, and artificial intelligence to create a dynamic and intelligent solution.
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Carbon black-based pigments absorb NIR radiation, reducing LiDAR reflectance
The use of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems is becoming increasingly common in the automotive industry, particularly with the advent of autonomous vehicles. LiDAR uses Near-Infrared (NIR) radiation to detect and receive data, creating 3D maps of the environment surrounding the LiDAR sensor array.
However, a challenge arises when it comes to detecting dark-coloured vehicles, as the NIR wavelengths are absorbed by these darker shades. Carbon black-based pigments, commonly used in dark automotive paint colours such as black, grey, and blue, absorb radiation across the entire visible region (400 to 700 nm) and the NIR wavelength region (700 to 2500 nm). This absorption of NIR radiation results in lower LiDAR reflectance, impacting the ability of LiDAR systems to accurately detect and map the environment.
To address this issue, companies like BASF have developed LiDAR-detectable coatings made with functional pigments and technologies. These coatings reduce NIR absorption by replacing carbon black pigments with NIR-transparent or NIR-reflective pigments. For instance, Spectrasense™ Black NIR transparent pigments and Sicopal® Black NIR reflective pigments have been created to strongly increase the NIR reflectivity of coloured objects.
Additionally, BASF's coatings expertise helps automotive manufacturers achieve aesthetically pleasing designs while ensuring safety and performance in autonomous vehicles. Furthermore, NIR-reflective coatings can also help manage heat build-up, as NIR absorption by carbon black pigments can increase the temperature of vehicle structures, affecting the performance of onboard electronics.
Through these advancements in pigment technology, the challenge of LiDAR detection of dark-coloured vehicles is being addressed, ensuring the safe and effective operation of autonomous driving systems.
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BASF leverages LiDAR-detectable coatings made with functional pigments to reduce NIR absorption
BASF has developed LiDAR-detectable coatings made with functional pigments to improve the detection function of autonomous vehicles. These coatings help reduce near-infrared (NIR) absorption, which is critical for LiDAR technology to detect and receive data.
LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, uses NIR wavelengths to detect objects and create a 3D map of the environment. This technology is essential for autonomous vehicles and self-driving technology to navigate and make decisions.
However, one of the challenges with LiDAR technology is that dark-colored cars, such as those painted with carbon black-based pigments, absorb NIR radiation. This absorption results in lower LiDAR reflectance, making it difficult for the LiDAR system to detect and map objects accurately.
To address this issue, BASF's functional pigments can be used as a replacement for carbon black in the colour formulation. These pigments are designed to be LiDAR-transparent or reflective, allowing the NIR radiation to pass through the dark-coloured basecoat layer without significant absorption.
By reducing NIR absorption, BASF's LiDAR-detectable coatings improve the overall LiDAR mapping performance. This enables autonomous vehicles to better detect dark-coloured objects and improve road safety. Additionally, BASF's coatings also consider the aesthetic preferences of future customers, offering a diverse range of colours that are both functional and appealing.
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BASF's R&D investments enhance coating functionality, improving transparency for radar waves and reflection for LiDAR sensors
The German chemical company BASF has been investing significantly in R&D to improve the functionality of coatings. One notable development is the creation of coatings that improve transparency for radar waves and reflection for LiDAR sensors. This innovation is particularly beneficial for driver assistance systems and autonomous driving technologies.
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) plays a critical role in the development of autonomous vehicles and self-driving technology. It uses near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths to detect and receive data, working in conjunction with other detection technologies to gather information for self-driving cars. However, one challenge for LiDAR is detecting dark-colored cars, as the NIR wavelengths are easily absorbed by darker shades.
To address this issue, BASF has developed LiDAR-detectable coatings with functional pigments that reduce NIR absorption. These coatings are designed to increase the reflectivity of dark automotive paint colors, such as black, grey, and blue, which traditionally absorb NIR radiation due to their carbon black-based pigmentation. By leveraging its expertise in pigments and automotive coatings, BASF has formulated color shades that are highly reflective to NIR radiation, improving LiDAR detection.
BASF's Colors and Effects® brand offers a wide range of organic, inorganic, and effect pigments for various industries. The company's research into pigments and NIR absorption behaviour has enabled them to develop formulation approaches that enhance NIR reflectivity without compromising the desired color. This technology is particularly useful for automotive applications, where carbon black is commonly used in dark paint colors, affecting LiDAR detection.
In addition to their R&D investments, BASF Coatings is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. The company has implemented measures to increase the use of renewable energy at its sites, including its headquarters in Münster, Germany, and its plants in Shanghai, China. These efforts align with BASF's climate goals, aiming for a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
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BASF supplies high-performance coloured pigments, resins, and raw materials for industrial coatings
BASF is a leading global supplier of paints and coatings for a range of industries. The company combines extensive know-how and industry expertise with a diverse portfolio of high-performance products. Their product range includes high-performance coloured pigments, resins, and raw materials for industrial coatings.
BASF's industrial coatings are used for protective purposes and have a broad scope of applications. The company supplies coloured pigments and effect pigments for marine, can, coil, and wood coatings. They also provide raw materials that meet the increasing demand for eco-friendly solutions. For example, BASF has developed functional pigments to improve LiDAR detection for autonomous vehicles. These pigments enhance the reflectivity of dark-coloured cars, which are typically not detected easily by LiDAR systems.
In addition to their work with LiDAR technology, BASF also offers premium coatings for the automotive industry, including body shops and car racing teams. They supply coatings to major North American carmakers such as GM, Ford, and Chrysler, as well as foreign car manufacturers. BASF's automotive coatings set the benchmark for protection, functionality, and colour design. Their paint technology ensures a sustainable, fast, and efficient application process.
BASF is also a leading supplier of raw materials to the architectural coatings industry. Their product range includes resins for solvent-based, water-based, or universal systems, light stabilizers, dispersants, rheology modifiers, defoamers, and colourants for interior and exterior applications. BASF's solutions improve surface properties, enable unique effects, and enhance resistance to corrosion and scratching. The company's products meet the growing needs for more sustainable paints and coatings.
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Frequently asked questions
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) plays a critical role in the development of autonomous vehicles and self-driving technology. It uses near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths to detect and receive data, which is then integrated with other detection technology to collect information for self-driving cars.
Dark-coloured cars, such as those that are black, grey, and blue, are popular in the automobile market. However, these colours are typically formulated using carbon black, which absorbs NIR radiation. This results in lower LiDAR reflectance, making it difficult for LiDAR systems to detect and locate dark-coloured objects.
BASF has developed LiDAR-detectable coatings and pigments that reduce NIR absorption and increase NIR reflectivity. Their Raylution™ paint systems, for example, increase the reflectivity of dark colours for LiDAR sensors without affecting the appearance of the paint. This enhances the accuracy and transmission of radar signals, which is crucial for advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving.
