Abstract: A system for a host vehicle operating on a road surface includes a polarimetric camera, a global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver, a compass, and an electronic control unit (“ECU”). The camera collects polarimetric image data of a drive scene, including a potential driving path on the road surface. The ECU receives the polarimetric image data, estimates the Sun location using the GPS receiver and compass, and computes an ideal representation of the road surface using the Sun location. The ECU normalizes the polarimetric image data such that the road surface has a normalized representation in the drive scene, i.e., an angle of linear polarization (“AoLP”) and degree of linear polarization (“DoLP”) equal predetermined fixed values. The ECU executes a control action using the normalized representation.

Abstract: A system for a host vehicle operating on a road surface includes a polarimetric camera, a global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver, a compass, and an electronic control unit (“ECU”). The camera collects polarimetric image data of a drive scene, including a potential driving path on the road surface. The ECU receives the polarimetric image data, estimates the Sun location using the GPS receiver and compass, and computes an ideal representation of the road surface using the Sun location. The ECU normalizes the polarimetric image data such that the road surface has a normalized representation in the drive scene, i.e., an angle of linear polarization (“AoLP”) and degree of linear polarization (“DoLP”) equal predetermined fixed values. The ECU executes a control action using the normalized representation.

Abstract: A free space estimation and visualization system for a host vehicle includes a camera configured to collect red-green-blue (“RGB”)-polarimetric image data of drive environs of the host vehicle, including a potential driving path. An electronic control unit (“ECU”) receives the RGB-polarimetric image data and estimates free space in the driving path by processing the RGB-polarimetric image data via a run-time neural network. Control actions are taken in response to the estimated free space. A method for use with the visualization system includes collecting RGB and lidar data of target drive scenes and generating, via a first neural network, pseudo-labels of the scenes. The method includes collecting RGB-polarimetric data via a camera and thereafter training a second neural network using the RGB-polarimetric data and pseudo-labels. The second neural network is used in the ECU to estimate free space in the potential driving path.

Abstract: A perception system for a motor vehicle includes a camera with a lens having a field of view and configured to focus incident light from the field of view. The field of view includes a road having a road surface. The perception system also includes an imaging sensor arranged in the camera. The imaging sensor has a photosensitive surface defined by an imaging surface area configured to capture the incident light focused from the field of view. A first portion of the imaging surface area is configured to capture an image of the road. The perception system further includes a first polarizer array arranged across the first portion of the imaging surface area and configured to reduce glare from the road surface.

Abstract: A perception system for a motor vehicle includes a camera with a lens having a field of view and configured to focus incident light from the field of view. The field of view includes a road having a road surface. The perception system also includes an imaging sensor arranged in the camera. The imaging sensor has a photosensitive surface defined by an imaging surface area configured to capture the incident light focused from the field of view. A first portion of the imaging surface area is configured to capture an image of the road. The perception system further includes a first polarizer array arranged across the first portion of the imaging surface area and configured to reduce glare from the road surface.