Isuzu

3D Stereo Camera is Something a Little Different

3D stereo camera is something a little different

Anyone who has had a go with a new truck in recent years will be aware of the technology available here, but, fitted on the new N Series, the Hitachi 3D stereo camera is something a little different. 

The latest technology comes under the heading of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and this term covers a multitude of different individual components making up the whole, which renders the truck safer to drive.

Most ADAS will use a radar mounted low down at the front of the truck to detect objects in front of a truck, and determine their speed and direction. This is coupled with a video camera mounted high on the windscreen. Machine learning then tries to identify the object, whether it’s a human, a car, a tree or a road sign and act accordingly. The system uses the two streams of data from radar and camera to make a judgement on the shape ahead. 

By going to a stereo camera, Isuzu are able to get a better idea of the shape of the object, and its speed and distance using the binocular vision to get a 3D image of any object. 

Both styles of ADAS are clearly effective. This particular stereo camera is in use on cars already on sale in Australia and the radar camera option has been with us for some years. According to Isuzu, when ADAS is introduced in the heavier model ranges from the brand, it will probably use the camera plus radar option.

3D stereo camera is something a little different

Out on the road, these modern systems need little driver input, if any. The whole idea is that they only react and kick in when the risk arises and will act autonomously, if the driver does not react to any warnings. 

This does mean that we are unable to test the ADAS to its fullest extent, i.e. get it to the point where it puts all of the brakes on at 100 per cent to avoid hitting another vehicle or a pedestrian. This is not a good idea on the busy roads of Melbourne.

However, the other aspects of the ADAS come into play on a regular basis as the truck weaves through busy traffic in the CBD and surrounds. Although the heart of the system is the Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) which does attempt to stop the truck before a collision, another function is the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) which sets off alerts to tell the driver to brake as they approach a situation where the ADAS recognises any danger.

The various levels of warning have alerts which reflect their severity. The feeling when the AEB sets off is very loud, bright and everything in the cab will fly forward if not secure, this really gets the adrenalin pumping, the truck has just averted a collision.

The FCW is also loud and involves a bright light on the dashboard. The driver is very aware there is something wrong and needs to brake immediately. The urgency of the situation is signalled very clearly. 

3D stereo camera is something a little different

More subtle, and less urgent, is the Distance Warning System (DWS). This uses the camera to scan the road ahead and if the obstacle in front comes within a certain distance, the warning will sound, just to remind the driver to back off, or touch the brakes. The predetermined distance can be adjusted by the driver on the dashboard controls, shorter distances in the city and longer ones for the open highway. 

With an even more subtle alarm the Traffic Movement Warning (TMW) uses the ADAS to notify the driver with a small beep, that the vehicle in front has set off, in a sitting at the traffic lights type situation. This TMW doesn’t seem to be that useful on a truck, unless you have drivers who are easily distracted and don’t watch the traffic in front of them. It is all part of the features available with the 3D camera.

“Over 50 per cent of Australian operators in road transport record that overall road safety and driver safety are key issues, with this figure increasing to 70 per cent for larger fleets,” says Simon Humphries, Isuzu Australia Limited Chief Engineer, Product Strategy. “The desire for improved safety technology is a real and current concern for our customers, and we are responding to this with product that puts driver and road safety first.

“Isuzu’s new active ADAS in N Series 4×2 trucks has been optimised with a 3D Stereo camera, which has superior capabilities for detecting low-height objects and smaller road users such as children and other pedestrians.

“This is particularly beneficial for businesses working in what we know to be the highest-risk of collision environments, urban and metro areas, in applications such as trades, services, freight and last-mile delivery.”

3D stereo camera is something a little different

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