LG Electronics is planning to supply its next-generation ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) cameras to Mercedes Benz.
LG Electronics announced on the 29th that it won an order from a premium German automotive manufacturer to supply its ‘next-generation ADAS front mono-camera’. It is heard that this premium automotive manufacturer is supposed to be Mercedes Benz. Through this contract, LG Electronics is going to supply its front mono-camera modules and related software (SW) to Mercedes Benz for its cars that will be released within 2 or 3 years.
“Due to a contract with our customer, we cannot reveal the name of our customer and the size of supply.” said a representative for LG Electronics.
ADAS front mono-camera collects traffic information that is in front and provides variety of high-tech functions such as emergency brake when there is a possibility of collision after detecting objects, automatic maintenance of a lane, maintenance of constant distance with a car in front during a long drive, automatic recognition of traffic signs, and automatic control of high beam so that drivers can drive safely.
ADAS front mono-camera is a basic technology that will be needed to develop parts of self-driving cars that will be regularized in the future. Camera system is an important part that plays a role of ‘eyes for self-driving cars’.
LG Electronics applied many camera and image recognition technologies that it has gathered from its Smartphone and home appliance businesses to ADAS front mono-camera and has secured better functions and safety than before.
Previously, LG Electronics VC Business Headquarters exchanged MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Mercedes Benz in 2014 regarding co-development of front stereo cameras. Stereo camera system is based on how humans keep their eyes on the front with both of their eyes and tries to understand information on distance and objects. Stereo camera that is developed by these two businesses will be used for ADAS and self-driving cars from Mercedes Benz.
After competing with top global tier 1 (first supplier) businesses, LG Electronics was able to win a contract from Mercedes Benz and was recognized as a business with one of the best competitive edge in automotive cameras and SW.
“This contract helped our competitive edge in automotive camera system, which is one of the best in the world, to be recognized globally.” said Department Head (President) Lee Woo-jong of LG Electronics VC Business Headquarters. “We are going to continue to work with global automotive manufacturers and are going to introduce next-generation automotive parts that will generations of self-driving cars.”
LG Electronics promoted its automotive electronic component business to VC Business Headquarters in 2013. Since then it has shared its technologies with variety of automotive manufacturers such as Volkswagen and supplied its parts and products to them.
“Fact that LG Electronics is going to supply its next-generation cameras to Mercedes Benz is a new signal of successful automotive component business.” said a representative for an automotive industry. “Besides cameras, one can expect that LG Electronics will also supply infotainment or automotive displays and that it will continue to work and supply its products to other global automotive manufacturers.”
Staff Reporter Kwon, Keonho | wingh1@etnews.com