In the automotive world, that is always constantly evolving, sensors are gaining popularity as systems that increase passive safety on the one hand, and make more autonomous driving possible on the other. Radar and LiDar sensors are particularly prominent among these sensors.
There is something you probably haven’t considered and that is how color plays a crucial role in how these technologies work. Let’s explore this fascinating relationship that is here to stay!
Discovering surroundings with radar and LiDar technology
The main difference between LiDar and radar lies in the technology that makes them work. LiDar uses lasers to measure distances, while radar relies on radio waves. This difference is fundamental and leads to variations in their applications. These applications are often contained in what are known as ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems).
These two technologies perform important tasks:
- They determine the objects around the car: they help you to know if there are potential obstacles, other cars or pedestrians near you.
- Determine the location of your vehicle with respect to its surroundings: they help your car know exactly where it is.
The combination of both tasks makes it possible to establish a trajectory analysis that is capable of preventing collisions, and makes advanced driving assistance possible.
Colors for radar technology
For radar systems, color is important. Imagine that in your car the radar is covered by a plastic part. The radar must be able to “see” through that piece as if it were transparent to its waves. This is where the challenge is set up.
For radar to work properly, the paint must be what we call “transparent” to the radar waves. This means that the radar must be able to pass through the paint of the transmitting vehicle to the object in front of it. Once it bounces back, it will return to the sensor providing information.
The ideal paints are those that have a disordered structure, with few metallic particles and little thickness because they allow the radar waves to pass through without problems.
While in the OEM market this is more limited. In the refinish market it will undoubtedly be necessary to adapt some methods, for example, by fixing thicknesses, limiting the use of some products, or requiring a final validation of the sensor’s functionality.
Colors for LiDar technology
Now let’s talk about LiDar, a system that allows you to determine the distance from a laser emitter to an object or surface. LiDar works best with light colors that are able to reflect the signal back to the sensor with the necessary information. While with a deep black you could see altered data collection.
The future of color in radar and LiDar technology
Since the emergence of these technologies applied to automobiles, pigment suppliers are already working on alternatives that fit this new situation.
On the one hand, by offering effect particles that can be used in the plastic parts that cover the radars, without interfering with their signal. The great challenge here is to find an alternative to the typical aluminum particles, since we do not want to lose the excellent covering power that these metallic particles have compared to a pearl.
On the other hand, by developing dark pigments that do not make objects invisible to a LiDar sensor, these are alternative pigments to the current carbon blacks, since they strongly absorb the near-infrared (NIR) signal.
And it is in this situation, where design departments seek to ensure that the style of the car is not compromised by the functionality of these technologies.
In summary, color has become an essential factor when talking about radar and LiDar technology and it is understandable. In technologies that detect surfaces, the technologies that coat these surfaces affect them.
The future of refinish
All these advances result in a lower accident rate. But at the same time, they lead to the need for greater control of the parameters in the repair processes.
This increased technification together with an increase in aesthetic painting will undoubtedly mark the coming years and the developments to be carried out.
Now you know that this balance between “transparent” radar paints and visible colors for LiDar is key. Keep an eye on future innovations that will make our vehicles safer and more stylish at the same time!
