It seems like every few months, there's some news about Apple's car project. However, two months have passed without much in the way of updates—Apple's only major news has been the iPhone X.
Fortunately, Apple’s progress in the automotive space hasn’t gone unnoticed. According to Reuters, two Apple researchers recently shared a paper online discussing how self-driving cars can detect cyclists and pedestrians using fewer sensors. This is a significant step forward in the development of autonomous vehicle technology.
The perception, decision-making, and control systems of driverless vehicles are key components in simulating human driving behavior. Among these, perception plays the most critical role in determining the final control outcome.
On-board computers have limited processing power. While more sensors can collect more environmental data, they also require more computational resources, which can slow down processing and delay vehicle control. Therefore, for each autonomous driving team, simplifying the sensor setup while still gathering enough information is essential to improving overall algorithm efficiency.
The paper submitted by Apple was published on arXiv on November 17th, marking the first time the company publicly disclosed details about its self-driving technology. The main innovation in the paper is how Apple’s new software enhances the performance of LiDAR systems to detect pedestrians and cyclists from a distance.
This represents a major breakthrough in Apple’s autonomous vehicle technology. A few months ago, images of Apple’s self-driving test vehicles showed a very bulky and outdated sensor setup. If the technology described in this paper is implemented, it could give Apple a real shot at competing in the autonomous vehicle industry.
Currently, most autonomous vehicles use a hybrid sensor approach, combining LiDAR, cameras, and millimeter-wave radar to achieve full autonomy. Each sensor has its own strengths and weaknesses, and together they help cover each other’s limitations.
LiDAR, for example, uses laser pulses to measure the distance and shape of objects, providing depth information that is crucial for accurate object detection. However, due to factors like sparse point cloud density and limited range, LiDAR can sometimes miss details. Apple’s research team claims they’ve solved this issue, achieving highly reliable results using only LiDAR data.
Although the current tests are limited to simulations, Apple has already begun integrating LiDAR as a primary sensor in its self-driving prototypes. A recent video released by MacCallister Higgins, founder of startup Voyage, showed Apple’s third-generation self-driving car, equipped with multiple LiDAR units, millimeter-wave radars, and cameras on the roof of a Lexus RX450h.
Despite the high cost and visible nature of this sensor setup, Apple continues to prioritize performance over cost. While many companies are pushing for cheaper, simplified solutions, Apple remains focused on refining LiDAR technology, which may lead to long-term advantages.
However, this approach has led to slower progress. Apple’s closed culture, which once helped it create groundbreaking consumer products, doesn't seem to be attracting top AI talent in the autonomous driving space. As a result, some key personnel have moved on to startups, such as Aeva, which recently launched a new sensor capable of measuring both distance and speed—key requirements for self-driving systems.
The autonomous driving field is now a fierce battleground, with many companies racing to commercialize fully autonomous vehicles by 2021. Although Apple started later, it has already introduced a completely new version of its self-driving system in less than a year, showing strong determination.
While many startups are eager to raise capital and build their own businesses, autonomous driving is a long-term, money-intensive endeavor. Investors may not stay patient for long, and eventually, many talented engineers will end up joining larger companies or groups.
The competition is just beginning, but the winner will soon become clear. For now, we remain excited about what Apple will bring next in its autonomous driving journey.
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