Computer Vision Algorithms Power Innovative Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system

The new BMW 1-Series offers an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) developed by BMW, Autoliv and Mobileye. The system includes five functions: Speed Limit Indication (SLI), Non-Passing Indication (NPI), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), High Beam Assist (HBA) and Forward Collision Warnings (FCW), all controlled by a single camera powered by Mobileye’s computer vision algorithms running on the system-on-chip EyeQ2 processing unit. This sophisticated system is instrumental in saving lives, preventing injuries and reducing vehicle-related crashes.

A notable break-through seen in the BMW 1-Series is the inclusion of the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) customer feature. The FCW is activated when the host vehicle approaches a preceding vehicle at a high closing rate. The driver is alerted by the warning to the existence of a critical situation and can avert the accident. The underlying technology uses state-of-the-art research on pattern recognition where the monocular camera scans the image feed looking for licensed vehicles by matching areas of interest to a library of templates that were learned over millions of kilometers during system development. The monocular camera is able to obtain range to detected targets with sufficient accuracy for a high-quality FCW performance. Harsh conditions (such as heavy rain) are included in the technology envelope of performance, allowing the introduction of this feature as an important safety element.

“We are pleased to be the customer features technology provider to BMW once again” commented Prof. Amnon Shashua – co-founder and Chairman of the Board of directors of Mobileye and the Sachs professor of computer science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. “Our proven track record in bringing to market new technologies, such as LDW on the 5-Series in 2005, and the combination of LDW, HBA and SLI on the 7-Series in 2008, is a testament to our long-term commitment of launching, first to market, advanced technologies to the field of Driving Assistance Systems” added Shashua.

“The concept of a multiple features bundle on a single camera hardware is gaining traction in the market” says Itay Gat, Ph.D., Series Production Vice President of Mobileye. “Mobileye’s FCW function is the latest addition to the bundle family and was designed to comply with the requirements put forward by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the USA. Our technology is therefore the only vision-based system that is capable of successfully fulfilling NHTSA performance specifications”, added Gat.

About Mobileye
Mobileye N.V. is headquartered in The Netherlands, with R&D in Israel and satellite offices in the U.S., Cyprus and Japan. Mobileye is a technological leader in the area of advanced image sensing and processing technology for automotive applications, with a product portfolio covering the entire range of vision applications. Mobileye’s unique monocular vision platform works as a third eye to help drivers improve safety and avoid accidents, and has the potential to revolutionize the way we drive. Mobileye’s products of software algorithms bundled into the EyeQ system-on-chip can be found in BMW, GM and Volvo models since 2007. Multiple additional programs are under development with existing and additional OEMs that will launch later this year and during 2012-2014.

Further information on Mobileye can be found at www.mobileye.com.