Device and method for determining the distance of a light signal transmitter based on machine-learned fusion of individual distance estimates of object and light signal transmitter from vehicle

A method for determining an estimated value of a distance of a light signal transmitter from a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

• recognizing, based on image data of a camera of the motor vehicle, a set of objects in surroundings of the light signal transmitter arranged in a direction of travel in front of the motor vehicle;
• assigning an object from the set of objects to the light signal transmitter;
• determining, based on the image data, an individual estimated value of the distance of the assigned object from the motor vehicle;
• determining, based on the image data, an individual estimated value of the distance of the light signal transmitter from the motor vehicle;
• and
• determining the estimated value of the distance of the light signal transmitter from the motor vehicle based on the individual estimated value of the distance of the assigned object from the motor vehicle and based on the individual estimated value of the distance of the light signal transmitter from the motor vehicle;
• wherein the individual estimated value of the distance of the assigned object from the motor vehicle and the individual estimated value of the distance of the light signal transmitter from the motor vehicle are fused by a machine-learned fusion unit to form the estimated value of the distance of the light signal transmitter from the motor vehicle.