Automotive sensor fusion of radar, LIDAR, camera systems with improved safety by use of machine learning

A method for improving safety of a vehicle comprising:

• in a first mode:
• scanning a first wide area with a first radar sensor configuration;
• scanning a second wide area with a first auxiliary sensor configuration, wherein the first radar sensor and the first auxiliary sensor are configured to scan the first wide area and second wide area for detecting a moving object with respect to the vehicle, in conjunction with a sensor that measures travelling speed of the vehicle;
• fusing data from the first radar sensor configuration with the data from the first auxiliary sensor configuration to provide a first set of fused data;
• determining if an object is present based on the first set of data;
• and
• if it is determined than an object is present in the first mode, switching to a second mode;
• and
• in the second mode:
• processing a first narrow area with a second radar sensor configuration, wherein the first narrow area is smaller than the first wide area;
• processing a second narrow area with a second auxiliary sensor configuration, wherein the second narrow area is smaller than the second wide area, wherein the second auxiliary sensor configuration comprises at least one sensor operating at a higher resolution than the sensors of the first auxiliary sensor configuration;
• fusing the data from the second radar sensor configuration and the data from second auxiliary sensor configuration to provide a second set of fused data;
• and
• monitoring the detected moving object from the second set of fused data;
• wherein monitoring comprises:
• determining a risk classification, where the risk classification is indicative of the risk of collision with the detected moving object.

A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor coupled to a radar and an auxiliary sensor configuration, causes the processor to:

• in a first mode:
• scan a first wide area with a first radar sensor configuration;
• scan a second wide area with a first auxiliary sensor configuration, wherein the first radar sensor and the first auxiliary sensor are configured to scan the first wide area and second wide area for detecting a moving object with respect to a vehicle, in conjunction with a sensor that measures travelling speed of the vehicle;
• fuse data from the first radar sensor configuration with the data from the first auxiliary sensor configuration to provide a first set of fused data;
• determine if an object is present based on the first set of data;
• and
• if it is determined than an object is present in the first mode, switching to a second mode;
• and
• in the second mode:
• process a first narrow area with a second radar sensor configuration, wherein the first narrow area is smaller than the first wide area;
• process a second narrow area with a second auxiliary sensor configuration, wherein the second narrow area is smaller than the second wide area, wherein the second auxiliary sensor configuration comprises at least one sensor operating at a higher resolution than the sensors of the first auxiliary sensor configuration;
• fuse the data from the second radar sensor configuration and the data from second auxiliary sensor configuration to provide a second set of fused data;
• and
• monitor the detected moving object from the second set of fused data;
• wherein monitoring the detected moving object comprises:
• determine a risk classification, where the risk classification is indicative of the risk of collision with the detected moving object.