Controller for providing a classification of sensor data for a motor vehicle by means of an optical neural network, and method for operating the controller

A control device for providing a classification of sensor data for a motor vehicle, the control device comprising:

• an optical neural network configured to evaluate optically coded sensor data, the optical neural network comprising a plurality of optical neurons having electromagnetically induced transparency characteristics and, as a result of the evaluation by means of an evaluation device of the optical neural network, to provide optically coded classification information describing the classification of the sensor data;
• a conversion device configured to convert the optically coded classification information into electronically coded classification information;
• and
• the control device configured to provide the electronically coded classification information for the motor vehicle.

A method for providing a classification of sensor data for a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

• evaluating optically coded sensor data using an optical neural network, the optical neural network comprising a plurality of optical neurons having electromagnetically induced transparency characteristics;
• providing optically coded classification information describing the classification of the sensor data as a result of the evaluation by means of an evaluation device of the optical neural network;
• converting the optically coded classification information into electronically coded classification information using a conversion device;
• and
• providing the electronically coded classification information for the motor vehicle.

A vehicle, comprising:

• a control device for providing a classification of sensor data for a motor vehicle, the control device comprising:
• an optical neural network configured to evaluate optically coded sensor data, the optical neural network comprising a plurality of optical neurons having electromagnetically induced transparency characteristics and, as a result of the evaluation by means of an evaluation device of the optical neural network, to provide optically coded classification information describing the classification of the sensor data;
• a conversion device configured to convert the optically coded classification information into electronically coded classification information;
• and
• the control device configured to provide the electronically coded classification information for the motor vehicle.