Of the many challenges faced by ADAS sensors to perform optimally, stray light is a significant barrier to cameras seeing clearly. Commonly known as glare, it is caused by external light sources reflecting off adjacent surfaces or shining directly into the camera sensor, reducing the contrast in the captured image. The low contrast area masks the real scene from the sensor which contains critical information such as vehicles, pedestrians, and road markings. This occurrence can limit the camera system’s capability or fully prevent the system from operating, which ultimately disables critical ADAS systems such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA). 

ITW Automotive’s solution to these challenges is an integrated camera bracket system that combines our precision molded camera bracket with our industry leading glare mitigation and flexible heating technology. We tailor the system to meet customers’ requirements and have expertise in optimizing the glare shield to reduce stray light from entering the camera lens and preventing other blockages originating from the interior cabin of the vehicle.

The leading industry performance of our anti-glare technology is visible in the study shown below. Employing the IEEE P2020 flare test, an automotive industry standard method to measure the amount of stray light in an optical system, the ITW Automotive solution achieves an average stray light reduction of 29% when compared to competitor solutions found in many vehicles on the road today. 

This reduction in stray light means the camera’s real scene content is less masked by stray light and associated glare, and this vital road information is available to the ADAS algorithms to process, allowing ADAS functions to operate with a higher degree of safety. For example, AEB can function more safely in high glare environments and avoid false positives and missed detections due to blindness from stray light. 

This enhancement to camera performance can be achieved with any camera system and improves all ADAS functions enabled by camera. Combined with our efficient heating systems and precision bracket molding, ITW Automotive’s Global Safety enhances our customers’ products and simplifies the supply chain.