FLIR Systems and ANSYS are collaborating to deliver superior hazard detection capabilities for future assisted driving and autonomous vehicles (AVs) — empowering automakers to deliver improved vehicle safety. Through a technical collaboration, FLIR Systems will integrate a fully physics-based thermal sensor into ANSYS’ leading-edge driving simulator to model, test and validate thermal camera designs within an ultra-realistic virtual world.

Current AV and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) sensors cannot dependably identify objects in darkness and through smog, inclement weather, shadows and sun glare. Thermal cameras, however, can effectively detect and classify objects in these conditions. Integrating FLIR Systems’ thermal sensor into ANSYS VRXPERIENCE, will enable engineers to simulate thousands of driving scenarios across millions of miles in mere days and reduce physical prototyping. Engineers can also simulate uncommon and difficult scenarios where thermal excels, including wildlife encounters and distinguishing pedestrians from other roadway objects in low-contrast environments. The new ADAS solution will slash OEMs’ development time by optimizing thermal camera placement for use with systems such as automatic emergency braking (AEB) and within future AVs for the critical aspect of pedestrian detection.