zoneZ project: ZKW researches AI-supported road safety together with Wiener Neustadt University of Applied Sciences and AIT
In the joint project “zoneZ”, lighting systems specialist ZKW, the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt (FHWN) and the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) are working on the mobility of the future. The aim is to achieve greater safety for road users with fewer electronics in cars. The team of experts from the three companies is researching a new architecture for control units that requires fewer cables in the vehicle and significantly simplifies the structure of software and sensor technology. “Our aim is to develop innovative lighting functions in the vehicle. The concept of the Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) opens up new possibilities by using information from environmental sensors such as cameras, laser scanners and radar in real time. In order to be able to offer intelligent lighting systems, it is important for us to understand SDV architectures and the division of functions. In this project, the foundations for this were developed and new solution approaches worked out,” explains Dr. Christian Amsel, CTO of the ZKW Group.
With the rapid progress in the field of autonomous driving and the increasing complexity of modern vehicles, the issue of safety and efficiency in road traffic is becoming ever more important. Above all, the protection of so-called “vulnerable” road users, i.e. pedestrians, cyclists or scooter riders, is the focus of future mobility solutions. This is precisely where the “zoneZ” research project, which was implemented by ZKW together with FHWN and AIT, comes in. The aim was to develop a new control unit architecture that reduces cable complexity in the vehicle and significantly simplifies the software and sensor structure. ZKW is also researching optimized energy management for zonal architectures in order to protect the battery and regulate energy consumption during peak loads.
AI to protect pedestrians and cyclists
Florian Muttenthaler, Software as a Product specialist at ZKW, who is leading the project together with Roman Führinger, worked with the FHWN team to develop the appropriate AI algorithms for recognizing vulnerable road users. In the future, artificial intelligence will step in if the person driving the vehicle overlooks another road user. The aim is to avoid dangerous situations and accidents. “The software system should reliably detect cyclists, scooter riders and pedestrians around the vehicle, even in rain, darkness and fog,” explains Dr. Amsel.
Prototype shows possible applications
A central element of this was the fusion of sensor data from camera, radar and LIDAR, which was coordinated by AIT. At the same time, ZKW developed a functional control unit prototype. This demonstrator, which depicts the front of a vehicle, can be used to test the evaluation of sensor data and AI applications in practice. The successful project can now serve as the basis for a new architecture, which is to be brought to series maturity together with vehicle manufacturers. In the course of the project, around a dozen scientific papers were also supervised by students.
About ZKW
The ZKW Group is the specialist for innovative premium lighting systems and electronics. ZKW has been part of the LG Group as a subsidiary of LG Electronics Vehicle Solution Company since 2018. As a system supplier, ZKW is a global partner to the automotive industry. The group develops and produces products based on our motto of “Bright Minds, Bright Lights,” combining bright minds with modern production technologies to produce complex premium lighting and electronic modules for international automotive manufacturers. Our top products include powerful and cost-efficient complete LED systems. The ZKW Group has a total of twelve locations worldwide, with intelligently networked development and production. In 2024, the Group employed around 10,000 people and generated total sales of around 1.55 billion euros.
In accordance with the corporate vision “Ground-breaking premium lighting and electronic systems from ZKW for all mobility concepts of the global automotive industry”, the company’s primary goal is to produce top-quality high-tech products and to promote the development of innovative holistic lighting systems.
With our discoveries and inventions, the ZKW corporate group makes vehicles more desirable, more unique, safer, and more energy efficient. Our 360 degree product portfolio includes headlamps and fog lamps, rear lamps, flashers, interior and license plate lamps as well as electronic modules. Major automotive manufacturers trust their brands to innovative products from ZKW. We are proud of our customers like BMW (BMW, Rolls Royce), DAIMLER (MERCEDES-BENZ Cars and Trucks), FORD (Lincoln, Ford), GEELY (Volvo, Polestar, Lynk Co, Geely), GENERAL MOTORS (Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac), Hyundai/Kia, JLR (Jaguar, Land Rover), Stellantis (Opel, Citroen), RENAULT/NISSAN (Infiniti, Alpine), VGTT (Volvo Trucks, MACK) and VW (Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Skoda, Seat/Cupra, VW, VW Commercial Vehicles, MAN, Scania). With intelligent lighting systems and innovative styling, ZKW is shaping the look and character of vehicles worldwide.
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