SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLEANING LiDAR LENS

A method for cleaning a LiDAR sensor mounted in a case having a transparent protective window, the method comprising:

• determining, using the LiDAR sensor, whether the LiDAR sensor is obstructed due to contamination of the protective window;
• when obstruction of the LiDAR sensor is confirmed, determining whether a driving situation satisfies a safe operating condition of a cleaning device based on driving information of a vehicle;
• and
• when the driving situation satisfies the operating condition, removing contamination of the protective window through the cleaning device.

A LiDAR cleaning system comprising:

• a transparent protective window disposed to cover a LiDAR sensor so as to maintain a field of view of the LiDAR sensor;
• a foldable wiper configured to selectively contact or be spaced apart from the protective window;
• a first motor configured to move the wiper;
• a second motor configured to rotate the protective window;
• and
• a controller,
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• control the first motor to bring the wiper into contact with the protective window, and control the second motor to rotate the protective window while the wiper contacts the protective window to remove contamination from the protective window;
• or
• control the first motor to space the wiper apart from the protective window, and control the second motor to rotate the protective window while the wiper is spaced apart from the protective window.