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As autonomous driving and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) technologies race toward mainstream adoption, the spotlight is shifting to the sensors that make them possible. One company leading the charge in thermal vision is Teledyne FLIR—a name synonymous with forward-looking infrared systems used extensively in defense, aerospace, and now increasingly, automotive design.
In a recent Munro Live interview, John Eggert, Director of New Business Development at Teledyne FLIR, joined Sandy Munro to explore why thermal imaging could be the next game-changing layer in automotive sensing.
From Lidar to Thermal: A New Era in Sensor Tech
Eggert, a veteran of the automotive and lidar industries, sees thermal cameras today where lidar was five years ago: underestimated, underutilized, but poised for explosive growth.
Teledyne FLIR’s thermal cameras don’t just compete with visible light and radar—they outperform them in specific, mission-critical scenarios. Their greatest strength? Detecting living beings in low-visibility conditions—night, rain, fog, or even glare.
Military-Grade Sensing Moves Into Civilian Vehicles
FLIR technology, originally developed for military and aerospace use, offers high-resolution thermal vision that has been quietly embedded in automotive applications for over 17 years. The 2021 Cadillac Escalade, for instance, features the fourth-generation FLIR night vision system with VGA resolution. But the real revolution is just beginning.
With Teledyne’s acquisition of FLIR, a broader spectrum of sensing modalities is converging—offering OEMs a powerful platform for next-generation driver assistance and autonomous systems.
Why FLIR Outshines Traditional Sensors
Sandy Munro posed the key question: “What can FLIR do that others can’t?”
Eggert’s answer was simple but powerful: See people. Period.
- Pedestrians? FLIR detects them in complete darkness.
- Cyclists and motorcyclists? Easily tracked thanks to heat signatures.
- Deer or large animals? Synthetic data training allows reliable detection, even without thousands of real-world samples.
- Occluded humans (behind cars or trees)? Detected using bounding boxes via FLIR’s AI-enhanced neural networks.
This capability becomes essential in conditions where visible cameras, radar, or lidar struggle—such as dusk, fog, or cluttered urban environments.
Fusion of Visible and Thermal Imaging
One of the most exciting developments from Teledyne FLIR is their thermal-visible fusion technology. By blending RGB (color) and thermal feeds into a single augmented view, drivers (or autonomous systems) gain context-rich information in real time.
This hybrid feed supports:
- Improved perception in AR HUDs (augmented reality heads-up displays)
- Faster and more accurate object classification
- Greater confidence in AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) systems
This isn’t just good engineering—it’s a critical leap toward functional safety and robust performance across environmental extremes.
Compact, Scalable, and Cost-Effective
Thermal systems have often been thought of as expensive, bulky, and power-hungry. Not anymore.
Teledyne FLIR is now producing compact thermal cameras that can fit into a shark fin antenna. This significantly improves integration options by reducing drag and maintaining vehicle aerodynamics. It also opens doors for in-windshield integration—something Teledyne FLIR is actively developing with OEM partners.
From a cost perspective, Eggert emphasizes that these sensors are already affordable for startups and niche OEMs. In fact, Teledyne FLIR provides free neural network access to qualified customers for evaluation—lowering barriers to entry and accelerating adoption.
AI-Driven Neural Networks Built for Automotive
Unlike some sensing companies just now pivoting into automotive, Teledyne FLIR has spent years optimizing neural networks for real-time vehicle compute systems. Their AI models run efficiently on common infotainment or ADAS control units—eliminating the need for expensive GPU clusters.
This means thermal sensing with embedded AI is not just possible—it’s practical, scalable, and ready for production.
Regulatory Tailwinds Driving Adoption
Recent regulatory and safety trends are making Teledyne FLIR’s value proposition even stronger:
- IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) now expects pedestrian detection in darkness for Top Safety Pick+ ratings.
- Proposed U.S. legislation may require AEB systems to function in all lighting and weather conditions for commercial vehicles.
- FLIR’s ability to see through darkness, fog, and even windshield glare aligns perfectly with these emerging standards.
Real-World Testing: From Clawson to Santa Barbara
Sandy Munro and John Eggert took a test ride through Clawson at twilight—the most accident-prone time of day. The live feed from FLIR’s thermal system clearly showed pedestrians, cyclists, and even semi-hidden figures behind parked vehicles—long before they became visible to the naked eye or a regular camera.
At 60Hz frame rates, the system accurately identifies and tracks fast-moving objects like motorcycles. It even registers bounding boxes on pedestrians and moving vehicles in real time, supporting actionable decision-making in AV systems.
Beyond Automotive: A Platform for the Future
FLIR technology is already used across defense, aerospace, and industrial sectors. With Teledyne’s backing, the roadmap for automotive applications is only growing:
- Smart city integration
- Fleet safety and logistics
- Off-road and agricultural vehicles
- Commercial trucking and delivery
The possibilities stretch far beyond passenger cars, especially as thermal data fusion and AI-powered interpretation become turnkey solutions.
Key Takeaways for Automotive Engineers and EV Innovators
- Thermal imaging is no longer niche—Teledyne FLIR owns 100% of the current automotive market and is expanding.
- Superior detection of pedestrians, animals, and cyclists makes it ideal for AEB and autonomous functions.
- Fusion of thermal and visible imaging offers rich AR overlays for HUDs and onboard systems.
- Low power, small form-factor, and AI-ready—perfect for today’s automotive ECUs.
- Supports regulatory compliance for next-gen safety ratings and commercial standards.
- Scalable from luxury to startup OEMs—with flexible pricing and evaluation tools available.
Final Thoughts
Sensing the road ahead—literally and figuratively—requires systems that perform in all conditions. Teledyne FLIR’s thermal camera systems are engineered for reliability, visibility, and safety across a wide range of environments.
Whether you’re designing ADAS, building the next electric vehicle platform, or evaluating sensor fusion strategies, thermal imaging should be on your radar—or better yet, your vehicle.
Ready to see more?
Explore Munro Live’s deep dives and thermal sensor demos to stay ahead in automotive innovation. Contact Teledyne FLIR to request access to their evaluation toolkit and discover how thermal vision can transform your next design.