KOITO Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and DENSO Corporation revealed their joint efforts to boost the object recognition rate of vehicle image sensors by coordinating lamps and sensors, targeting enhanced nighttime driving safety. Both firms are striving to enhance vehicle safety and decrease traffic accident fatalities.

DENSO said KOITO has made strides in enhancing nighttime visibility through lighting technologies, such as Adaptive Driving Beams (ADBs). These beams adjust in real time to optimize visibility while avoiding blinding oncoming drivers. In addition, DENSO has crafted sensors that perceive a vehicle’s surroundings, functioning as the “eyes” for Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems. The company is also honing the ability of these sensors to detect objects in diverse traffic scenarios, nighttime included.

This partnership will see KOITO’s expertise in driving-beam photometry control technology merge with DENSO’s prowess in image sensor object recognition, DENSO said. Their shared goal is to devise a system bolstering nighttime vehicular safety. With nighttime pedestrian fatalities roughly double those during daylight hours, the companies will delve into projects such as lighting that enables quicker pedestrian recognition by image sensors.

Takayuki Katsuda, senior managing corporate officer overseeing the engineering division at KOITO, commented on the collaboration.

“Joining forces with DENSO, a premier automotive component provider, alongside KOITO’s leadership in lighting, will significantly advance next-generation mobility,” he said.

He further noted KOITO’s ongoing commitment to fostering safety and security in the emerging mobility era, aligning with the company’s vision of a sustainable future.

Hiroshi Kondo, general manager responsible for the mobility electronics business group at DENSO, added, “Teaming up with KOITO, a stalwart in lamp performance and global vehicular safety, is a pivotal move for DENSO’s mobility electronics endeavors. With KOITO’s lighting expertise, we remain steadfast in our mission to eliminate traffic accident fatalities.”