IMAGRY :HD Maps and LiDAR are Obsolete Autonomous Driving Tech

The Next Phase of Autonomous Driving

Imagry, an autonomous driving software provider, has created a distinctive mapless driving system that overcomes numerous challenges associated with existing technologies. Its bio-inspired technology combines real-time vision-based perception with imitation learning artificial intelligence (AI) to create a driving decision-making system. With perception and motion planning, vehicles powered by Imagry’s software understand the road in real-time and react to dynamic contexts and environments like a human driver. This approach eliminates the need for costly, geographically limiting, communication dependent and cyber-vulnerable HD maps.

Over the past five years, vehicles equipped with Imagry’s technology have been driving autonomously on public roads in the U.S., Germany, Japan and Israel, demonstrating the effectiveness of its mapless approach. In line with its location-independent approach, Imagry is the first autonomous driving solution developer to demonstrate on the road both right-and left-side driving.

The software processes visual input from cameras attached to the vehicle, using an array of neural networks to detect and classify objects like traffic lights, traffic signs, pedestrians, road markings, lanes, objects on the road and other vehicles. This information is processed in real-time to create a 360-degree, three-dimensional view of the immediate surroundings, allowing the vehicle to navigate dynamically and safely through any environment based on current conditions and existing road infrastructure.

“We’ve spent nearly six years refining this technology, and today it is operating independently without the need for pre-mapped routes,” says Eran Ofir, CEO.

Imagry caters primarily to Tier-1 suppliers, OEMs and public transportation operators. Its hardware-agnostic method lets manufacturers choose their preferred computing platforms and sensors, making it flexible and compatible across different vehicle price points.

Empowering Passenger Vehicles with AI-Driven Autonomy

Making significant progress in the passenger vehicle sector, Imagry is allowing OEMs to enhance their cars with autonomous driving capabilities.

Unlike conventional technologies dependent on HD maps and costly sensors requiring high bandwidth and constant communication with the cloud to stay up-to-date, Imagry operates without external data sources and connectivity.

This makes the solution highly cost-effective.

A critical factor in Imagry’s success is its commitment to safety. Using supervised learning to train AI systems ensures human experts vet all driving choices. This enhances the software’s reliability, allowing safe decision-making in real-world driving scenarios.

Transforming Everyday Conveyance with Autonomous Buses

Public transportation is another area where Imagry is making a significant impact, with fully autonomous buses capable of navigating complex urban routes. It is the first in the world to pass the European standard New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) test for autonomous buses. This involves 90 different scenarios, including emergency stops at speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour. A grade of 100 is mandatory for qualification, following which (based on autonomous driving regulations specific to each country) autonomous buses can operate on public roads.

Owing to this success, the company is involved in projects across Europe and Japan, where governments are investing in autonomous buses to mitigate driver shortages and enhance transportation service effectiveness.
Imagry’s technology has been implemented in high-profile projects in Israel, including an 18-stop route at the Sheba Medical Center and a 21-stop commercial route in the northern city of Nahariya. The buses demonstrate the practical application of its solutions and offer significant cost savings for operators by eliminating the need for drivers and increasing operational service hours.

A strategic partnership with Continental, the third largest Tier-1 supplier in the world, exemplifies Imagry’s approach. After successful proof-of-concept trials, the parties are co-developing a software-defined vehicle platform with parking spot detection as the first feature. This supersedes traditional ‘Park Assist’ functionality in vehicles by enabling vehicles to independently locate and maneuver into parking spots. The collaboration also aims to introduce practical features like Traffic Jam Assist and Safe Driver Overwatch™, addressing the growing demand for intelligent solutions that enhance everyday driving experiences and make the roads safer for everyone.

Advancing the Future of Transportation

Another important milestone is Imagry’s effective compliance roadmap with the UNR 155 extensive cyber framework, which was implemented first in Israel. This stringent cybersecurity standard protects autonomous buses from external threats and dangerous remote vehicle control.

Imagry’s innovations have gained recognition, earning the prestigious Frost & Sullivan Enabling Technology Leadership Award in 2023. Transdev, the world’s largest public transportation operator with activity in 21 countries, has recognized Imagry as an authorized autonomous transport system vendor, cementing its role in shaping the future of public transportation.

Imagry continues to redefine autonomous driving with AI-powered, mapless technology, delivering unmatched adaptability and safety. It advances the field by emphasizing cost efficiency and broad applicability, offering practical and reliable solutions that make cutting-edge autonomous driving accessible.

Website: www.imagry.co