The rising demand for safety, comfort, multimedia, infotainment, and telematic applications in automobiles are catalyzing the integration of photonic-based technologies in the automotive industry. Automobiles are increasingly employing photonics for lighting, displays, sensors, and communications systems.

For a majority of these applications, photonics technologies have worked well in conjunction with the associated electronic counterparts. In fact, photonic technologies have even covered up for electrical or electronic technologies’ inadequacies in specific application domains such as safety, multimedia, and infotainment systems. Its efficiency has prompted automobile manufacturers to develop more applications based on this technology.

Photonic technologies are superior to electronic solutions in terms of data rates, bandwidth, reliability, and robustness. However, it is not easy to achieve integration and miniaturization in photonics as easily as in electronics.
Although optical sensors and communication protocols have demonstrated their performance capabilities, they still need to prove they are capable of replacing their electronic counterparts. "Academic research focusing on the development of photonics technologies for automotive applications will help resolve the issues associated with the emergence of photonic-dominant systems," says the analyst of this research.

Increasing Safety Concerns Secure Photonic Technologies’ Standing in the Automotive Industry

Consumers’ increasing awareness regarding safety is compelling the creation of several technologies and applications that will not only enhance safety, but also save time, cost, and fuel indirectly. "The industry is relying on light/image or optical sensors to develop a wide range of safety technologies for occupant safety, intruder detection, lane departure warning, and blind spot detection," notes the analyst. "As displays are vital for all these systems, photonic technology will find considerable application in this sector." Head-up display (HUD), is being hailed as an effective solution for safety systems and it is used in high-end automotive models.

Meanwhile, fiber optic sensors’ rigidity and resistance to electromagnetic interferences have made them well suited for automotive applications. The major application areas of optical sensors are driver assistance systems and traffic monitoring systems. "Optical sensors (rain sensors), used as automatic wipers in cars, is a typical illustration of the suitability of optical sensors for hostile environmental conditions," observes the analyst.

"In the case of driver assistance systems, cameras with image sensors are used to alert the driver about the driving environment and the possibility of collision with other vehicles." Photonic technology has also been associated with lighting systems in automobiles. It not only aids the development of anti-glare lighting but also night vision systems for safety in harsh driving situations such as darkness, fog, and exposure to blinding light.