Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. has developed an autonomous driving technology that help to safely and smoothly pass by oncoming vehicles on narrow roads and other situations by utilizing 3D sensing results of the surrounding vehicle environment. Hitachi Astemo aims to strengthen its cost competitiveness through the use of 3D sensing data obtained from new stereo cameras with improved cost benefits.
The demand for autonomous driving is increasing to help solve social issues such as alleviating traffic congestion and supporting the transportation of disabled, elderly and others with special needs. For the practical implementation of autonomous driving on public roads, it is necessary to predict the risks of complex behavior of pedestrians and other moving objects, as well as sudden emergence from hidden areas, in order to avoid danger in advance. In addition, a vehicle is required to plan a safe driving trajectory and driving control based on 3D sensing information such as LiDAR and stereo cameras, so that smooth driving can be achieved in an environment mixed with non-autonomous vehicles.
Until recently Astemo’s technologies(1) were developed to prevent collisions by predicting the behavioral changes of pedestrians and other road users in autonomous driving on general roads, and by performing safe and natural deceleration. Astemo has also developed a hazard prediction and avoidance driving technology that, like human driving, predicts areas with potentially high collision risk, such as the behavior of other moving objects and sudden appearances from blind spots, and drives at a speed and trajectory that can avoid risk in advance.
Now, Hitachi Astemo has developed technologies that enable smooth passing automated driving in narrow roads by coordinating with oncoming vehicles, by integrating three-dimensional information obtained from sensing such as LiDAR, recognizing the driving environment around the vehicle in three dimensions, and by understanding intended movement from the detected free space and the behavior of the oncoming vehicles, and by performing route prediction.
Looking ahead, Hitachi Astemo is working towards collaborating with a high-precision, versatile new stereo camera launched in March 2023. This stereo camera can detect pedestrians and bicycles with a high degree of accuracy and measure distances by combining long-range detection with a wide viewing angle. It also stores identification patterns in advance using machine learning techniques, contributing to collision prevention during right and left turns at intersections(2). Furthermore, by utilizing Hitachi Astemo’s AI and recognition technology, we have created software processing that enables advanced image recognition and vehicle control on cost-competitive electronic control units. By collaborating with the new stereo camera, it will be possible to further enhance the cost competitiveness of autonomous driving technology that enables cooperative behavior in narrow roads.
Hitachi Astemo’s autonomous driving technology using cooperative behavior in narrow roads and the new stereo camera will be introduced at the “Automotive Engineering Exposition 2023 Yokohama” (booth number: 148) held at Pacifico Yokohama from May 23.
Hitachi Astemo is committed to strengthening its business and delivering technological innovation through a strategic business portfolio, which includes Powertrain & Safety Systems, Chassis, Motorcycle, Software and Aftermarket businesses. Aiming for growth based on the pillars of “green,” “digital,” and “innovation,” Hitachi Astemo will contribute to a better global environment by developing xEV systems and highly efficient internal combustion engine systems that reduce emissions. In addition, it will deliver enhanced safety and comfort through autonomous driving systems, advanced driver assistance systems and advanced chassis systems. Through such advanced mobility solutions, Hitachi Astemo will contribute to realizing a sustainable society and provide enhanced corporate value for its customers.
(1) October 11, 2019 Announcement on driving control technology based on risk prediction of driving environment on general roads (2) December 25, 2019 announcement regarding stereo cameras that combine distance detection and wide angle view.
Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. (“Hitachi Astemo”) Group company Hitachi Astemo Hanshin, Ltd. (“Hitachi Astemo Hanshin”) has installed and begun operating a solar power generation system at its Sanda Plant in Hyogo Prefecture as part of its efforts to become carbon neutral.
Solar panels installed at Hitachi Astemo Hanshin
As a member of the Hitachi Group, Hitachi Astemo is promoting initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality in 2030 at its own business sites (factories・offices) in line with Hitachi’s long-term environmental goal with “Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050.” Hitachi aims for a decarbonized society, with a roadmap to reduce CO2 emissions at factories and offices by 50% in FY2024 and 80% in FY2027 compared to FY 2010.
Hitachi Astemo Hanshin, a manufacturer of automotive ignition coils* and automotive electronics, has introduced a self-consumption off-balance solar power generation scheme whereby the company does not own the assets of the solar power generation equipment installed at its plant, but pays for power usage based on the amount generated. Hitachi Astemo Hanshin has started generating approximately 300 KW of electricity, with an expected annual capacity of approximately 315 MWh, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 126 t-CO2 per year.
Hitachi Astemo is committed to strengthening its business and delivering technological innovation through a strategic business portfolio, which includes Powertrain & Safety Systems, Chassis, Motorcycle, Software and Aftermarket businesses. Aiming for growth based on the pillars of “green,” “digital,” and “innovation,” Hitachi Astemo will contribute to a better global environment by developing xEV systems and highly efficient internal combustion engine systems that reduce emissions. In addition, it will deliver enhanced safety and comfort through autonomous driving systems, advanced driver assistance systems and advanced chassis systems. Through such advanced mobility solutions, Hitachi Astemo will contribute to realizing a sustainable society and provide enhanced corporate value for its customers.
*Components that apply the necessary high-voltage current to the spark plug, which discharges sparks to ignite the gasoline-air mixture in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.
For more information, please visit the Hitachi Astemo website: www.hitachiastemo.com/en/.
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As a global leader in electrification, Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. will provide inverters and motors to JATCO Ltd (henceforth, JATCO), which will supply e-Axles to Nissan’s future e-POWER* and battery electric vehicles.
Depiction of Electric Axle
For Nissan’s electric axles, of which JATCO will be responsible as a Tier 1 systems integrator, Hitachi Astemo will deliver highly efficient, low-loss motors that use a square wire, as well as highly efficient inverters.
A number of countries around the world have been expressing their commitment to achieving carbon neutrality, and automakers are accelerating the launch of environmentally friendly vehicles, which include electrified vehicles. Demand is expected to rise for e-Axles that are not only lightweight, compact and efficient, but also more efficient to manufacture, with lower cost through a reduced number of parts. To this end, Hitachi Astemo will respond to the rapidly expanding e-Axle demand by expanding sales of its in-house developed electric axles to various automobile manufacturers globally. It will also supply motors and inverters for electric axles assembled by automobile and gearbox manufacturers.
Moving forward, Hitachi Astemo will strengthen its position as a global leader in electrification. This will be achieved by leveraging synergies from the 2021 merger of Hitachi Automotive Systems with Keihin, Showa and Nissin Kogyo to form Hitachi Astemo, taking advantage of the integrated technologies and resources while further enhancing its global production bases. Specifically for the electrification business, it is aiming to invest 300 billion yen including R&D until fiscal 2025, increase sales revenue to over 400 billion yen in fiscal 2025 and more than double sales revenue by fiscal 2030.
Hitachi Astemo in cooperation with Hitachi’s R&D Group boasts an inverter with industry-leading power density, thanks to its unique cooling power module and small, thin, highly heat-dissipating insulation mounting technology. Motors are Hitachi’s founding product, and Hitachi Astemo has established a competitive advantage in torque density through the technologies it has cultivated over the years–which include material development, analysis, sound-reducing and manufacturing technologies to develop the magnetic circuits comprised of magnets, electromagnetic steel sheets, and windings. Hitachi Astemo also shows its strengths as a systems integrator, which includes optimization control software for motors and gears. At the same time, JATCO leverages its accumulated expertise from the development and mass production of transmissions to produce compact and quiet gearboxes. This combined with Hitachi Astemo’s motors and inverters is a total e-Axle package for Nissan, boasting industry- leading efficiency, low vibration, low noise and modular design.
Hitachi Astemo is committed to strengthening its business and delivering technological innovation through a strategic business portfolio, which consists of the Powertrain & Safety Systems business, Chassis business, Motorcycle business, Software business and Aftermarket business. Aiming for a better environment globally and growth around the pillars of “green,” “digital,” and “innovation,” Hitachi Astemo will deliver highly efficient internal combustion engine systems; electric systems that reduce emissions; autonomous driving for improved safety and comfort; advanced driver assistance systems; and advanced chassis systems. Through such advanced mobility solutions, Hitachi Astemo will contribute to realizing a sustainable society and provide enhanced corporate value for our customers.
*e-POWER: Nissan trademark. Gasoline engine charges the battery while the vehicle runs 100% on the electric motor.
About Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
Head Office: New Otemachi Building, Otemachi 2-chome, 2-1, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Business: Development, manufacture, sales and service of machinery and equipment and systems for automotive parts and transportation and industrial use
For more information, please visit the Hitachi Astemo website: www.hitachiastemo.com/en/
Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. has developed a prototype 360-degree stereo vision system for automated vehicles traveling on regular streets. Based on multi-camera 3D sensing, the all-surrounding sensing system is both high-resolution and highly accurate.
Most of the current automated driving systems are limited to highway driving. To enable automated driving systems to be used on general roads, they need to accurately recognize the entire road environment around the vehicle, including a complex mix of objects such as pedestrians and bicycles. Radar and LiDAR systems with high-ranging accuracy, however, still face cost issues before they can see widespread adoption, and all-surrounding-area camera systems, which although are superior in terms of cost,
are mainly based on a monocular camera that is still continually evolving to improve accuracy and other issues.
Hitachi Astemo, together with the Research and Development Division of Hitachi, Ltd., leveraged their strengths in stereo camera technology to develop a prototype of the 360-degree stereo vision system, using multi-camera 3D sensing that enables distance measurement with the stereo camera technology. Instead of the conventional module consisting of two cameras with the same view angle and being nearly parallel to each other, the camera layout has been made more flexible to use a combination of approximately 10 cameras with different angles of view, including non-parallel cameras to provide stereoscopic 3D vision. By integrating multi-camera 3D sensing into a single in-vehicle camera system, the system realizes 360-degree stereo vision, with a cost advantage, high accuracy and resolution.
By generating highly accurate distance information in stereo and all around the vehicle, the system can detect such elements as the distance of a vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane, or a two-wheeled vehicle slipping through a line of cars from behind in a traffic jam. It can estimate the relative speed and direction of movement, and apply this information for vehicle control to avoid collisions and entanglement at intersections. In addition to basic object recognition of objects such as cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, and traffic lanes, the recognition function also includes turn signals, red lights, and brake lights to predict the behavior of other vehicles; as well as traffic signals, road signs, road edges, and free space areas available for driving–all of which are necessary to identify for while driving on ordinary roads.
Furthermore, Hitachi Astemo has improved reliability and environmental resistance in camera sensing such as features to resist water droplets and dirt adhering to the lens surface, or shielding the entire lens in the snow. The AI has learned malfunction patterns caused by these factors and can identify malfunction factors that occur in each camera, thereby preventing malfunctions.
Going forward, Hitachi Astemo will continue to strengthen its 360-degree stereo vision systems that combine cost advantages with high accuracy and resolution, as well as improved reliability and environmental resistance, with the aim to expand the scope of automated driving systems for use on general roads.
Hitachi Astemo is committed to strengthening its business and delivering technological innovation through a strategic business portfolio, which consists of the Powertrain &
Safety Systems business, Chassis business, Motorcycle business, Software business and Aftermarket business. Aiming for a better environment globally and growth around the pillars of “green,” “digital,” and “innovation,” we will deliver highly efficient internal combustion engine systems; electric systems that reduce emissions; autonomous driving for improved safety and comfort; advanced driver assistance systems; and advanced chassis systems. Through such advanced mobility solutions, we will contribute to realizing a sustainable society and provide enhanced corporate value for our customers.
For more information, please visit the Hitachi Astemo website: www.hitachiastemo.com/en/.
