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Engineering means progress

Research & development of innovative sensor technology

For InnoSenT, research and development take centre stage and are firmly anchored within the company. We are investing in the progress of technology and the development of know-how in a sustainable and conscious manner. In addition to the development of innovative products for the industrial and automotive sectors, we are also dedicating our efforts to basic and applied research on radar technology. For many years, our radar experts have been participating in national and international funding projects, cooperating with universities, and sharing their knowledge in presentations and with our partners. In numerous research projects, we are working with leading institutes and universities as well as renowned technology companies from a wide range of industries to find new solutions to current challenges through synergy effects, knowledge transfer, and targeted and cross-industry collaboration.
The technological shift is opening up more and more possibilities for applications in the field of radar sensors. We are testing the limits of radar technology in our research activities and daring to introduce new fields of application. Our developers are committed to developing future technologies and are thus making a critical contribution driving forward progress. By continuously expanding its knowledge, our company enjoys a leading role in innovation, thus reinforcing our competitiveness. In the development process of our sensors and systems, we are incorporating findings from the latest technological developments and processes (e.g. in chip technology), practical applications, current trends, and innovations in components and production. This enables us to get the best out of technology for our customers.
At InnoSenT, the promotion of competencies in the field of AI and signal processing currently plays a key role in the optimisation of radar technology. Furthermore, our teams are tackling additional fields of research such as autonomous driving, sensor fusion, and gesture control.

AI & radar

The use of artificial intelligence boasts great potential. The aim of machine learning is to reduce the flood of data and improve signal analysis in order to achieve more efficient radar detection performance.
Find out more here.

Gesture control

Using electromagnetic waves, radar sensors can detect the tiniest of movements. This forms the basis for contactless control and modern interaction with technical equipment. In order to recognise not only simple hand movements but also gestures, InnoSenT carries out intense development work.

You can find more information here:

https://www.innosent.de/en/automotive/gesture-control/

 

Developments in the automotive sector

InnoSenT is considered a pioneer in this field and plays a major role in the success story of automotive radar sensor systems. Together with our business partner Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., we are working on the 5th generation of sensors for radar-based driver assistance systems. However, we are also continuing to pursue our own projects, such as vehicle interior monitoring and the kick sensor, with our high-performance Development department.

Find out more about automotive radar technology at: https://www.innosent.de/en/automotive/

 

Industrial radar applications

A wide variety of radar products have resulted from our past development projects. Since the company was founded in 1999, it has brought numerous innovative radar solutions to the market and developed customer-specific products. An overview of all sensors and systems can be found in our product finder. You can find learn more about the special features of our new products in the latest press releases.

 

Research & Development

Which research projects has InnoSenT already been involved in?

Radar’s fields of application are diverse. The technology’s properties make it one of the most crucial technical developments that takes on numerous tasks for us. The technology is indispensable in areas such as robotics, Industry 4.0, security technology, building automation, smart homes, and cities. Since the company was founded, InnoSenT has been actively involved in these areas with its expertise and promoting the development process and deployment of future sensor solutions.
Below you will find a selection of funded projects in which InnoSenT was (or is) involved in cooperation with various research institutions and industry experts, where the company contributed its expertise in the field of radar technology.
MOSARIM
Project duration: 01/01/2010 - 31/12/2012
Status: successfully completed
It was already clear in 2010 that the number of automotive radar sensors was increasing tremendously. In order to prevent the associated problems of mutual interference, the development of appropriate measures was promoted early on.
The EU funding project entitled ‘More Safety for all by Radar Interference Mitigation’ (in short: MOSARIM) aimed to create a common understanding of the interference effects and problems that can occur when sensors from different manufacturers and with different operating modes coexist. The development of a ‘standard interference’ device and the preparation of appropriate guidelines and recommendations have formed the basis for effective interference suppression in radar-based automotive sensors.
Click here to find out more about the project: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/248231
 
Prelocate
Project duration: 01/10/2011 – 31/07/2014
Status: successfully completed
The growing volume of data presents a challenge in the digital age. In order to handle it, besides the existing frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz, an additional, 60 GHz frequency band was provided for wireless LAN applications. The ‘Prelocate’ project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), is meant to show that mobile devices can also be positioned in this band during data transmission. In the project, the partners explored new algorithms and architectures to optimize simultaneous positioning and communication in the 60 GHz band. Particular emphasis was placed on the positioning accuracy.
For more information, go to: https://www.silicon.de/41557818/genauere-lokalisierung-im-wlan
 
ATFEST
Project duration: 01/12/2014 – 30/11/2016
Status: successfully completed
In the ‘ATFEST’ project, together with project partners, InnoSenT developed a door locking system with magnetorheological elastomers that holds vehicle doors in any door position without pre-stamped stepping. The analysed vehicle information over the parking space forms the basis for restricting the opening angle. For this purpose, InnoSenT supplied the radar components that measure the current door position. This helps prevent collisions with obstacles or other road users when opening one’s door. The project, funded by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology (‘Mikrosystemtechnik Bayern’ funding program), was successfully completed in 2016.
ANTTS
Project duration: 01/11/2012 – 30/04/2016
Status: successfully completed
As part of the Bavarian funding program ‘Mikrosystemtechnik Bayern’, InnoSenT worked together with the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU Erlangen) and the company Novotechnik Messwertaufnehmer OHG to investigate the possibilities of differential positioning performed by radar sensors in order to measure the thickness of film layers. The aim was to develop a sensor system that performs high-precision measurements of the variation in thickness and detects tears using 6-port interferometers. The project was successfully completed with the development of a high-precision, short-distance radar in 2016.
Wind-6P
Project duration: 01/01/2015 – 30/06/2018
Status: completed
The funding project by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology, completed in 2018, was dedicated to generating electricity through wind energy. Together with its project partners, InnoSenT developed a sensitive measuring system that uses radar technology to detect the tiniest deviations in the rotating rotor blades. This enables wear to the wind turbines and malfunctions to be detected early on and counteracted.
NetGuard6P
Project duration: 01/01/2015 – 30/06/2018 (extended by 6 months)
Status: completed
High-precision sensors are of great importance for Industry 4.0, as they enable technical devices to perceive their environment and react to it. In the NetGuard6P project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the network partners developed a high-resolution and three-dimensional networked sensor system that ensures the exact positioning and protection of moving machine parts (e.g. robot arms). The aim was to create a reliable environmental sensor system that fulfils the requirements for safe human-machine interaction. In this project, InnoSenT acted as a network coordinator and contributed its expertise from the field of radar technology.
You can learn more about the project here:
https://www.elektronikforschung.de/projekte/netguard6p
 
OFP
Project duration: 01/01/2016 – 31/03/2019
Status: completed
The Open Fusions platform project aimed to develop a new sensor platform that facilitates the integration, communication, and combination of various vehicle sensors in the on-board computer. The near-series Fusions platform has open interfaces that enable cost-effective implementation of the sophisticated systems for autonomous and automated driving for automotive manufacturers and suppliers. Revealing these interfaces boosts the acceptance and application of new, innovative safety functions and provides an important basis for further research in the automotive sector. InnoSenT not only supplied the radar vehicle sensors but was also instrumental in testing the application.
To find out more about the project, go to: https://www.elektronikforschung.de/projekte/ofp
Press release from InnoSenT GmbH:
https://www.innosent.de/unternehmen/presse/view/article/fahrerassistenzsysteme-einfacher-integrieren/
 
 
Guardian
Project duration: 01/01/2017 – 31/12/2019, extended to 31/05/2020
Status: completed
Monitoring vital signs is a crucial factor in assessing patients’ health, especially of the severely ill or those in need of care. This often entails connecting numerous wires, which greatly limits patients’ freedom of movement. In order to tackle this issue, a reliable and practical sensor solution is to be developed through the Guardian funding project. Contactless and continuous measurement being performed by the new system is intended to improve patients’ quality of life and relieve the burden on nursing staff in monitoring patients. Together with its network partners, InnoSenT developed a radar solution that reliably detects heart activity and respiratory movements without contact.
Click here to find out more: https://www.technik-zum-menschen-bringen.de/projekte/guardian
 
 
KameRad
Project duration: 01/02/2017 – 31/01/2020
Status: completed
The research network for the ‘KameRad’ project investigated combining camera and radar technology as the basis for a fail-safe sensor system for all-round protection in autonomous driving. The collaboration venture aimed to develop a highly integrated, flexible module that also incorporates GPS and Car2X information and intelligently processes the data volumes. The new detection system can be used not only in cars but also in agricultural machinery. InnoSenT was the network coordinator and contributed its knowledge in the field of automotive radar development, safety technology, and collision protection.
To find out more about the project, click here: https://www.elektronikforschung.de/projekte/kamerad
 
 
 
EuroPAT-MASIP/EuroRAD
Project duration: 01/04/2017 – 30/06/2021
Status: completed
The EU-funded EuroPAT-MASIP project aims to strengthen Europe’s position in semiconductor manufacturing and to advance developments for Industry 4.0. The cooperation of the 28 project partners and their scientific exchange are intended to pave the way into production facilities for advanced packaging technologies and to significantly shorten the time to market. For this purpose, new functions and developments are being made fit for practical use by means of application tests tailored to the requirements. Among other things, a 60 GHz radar chip with an innovative package solution is being developed, which InnoSenT is integrating into a radar module for industrial sensor-controlled door openers and collision avoidance systems.
Project website: https://www.europat-masip.eu/
 
 
 
NeoWatch
Project duration: 01/09/2018–31/08/2022
Status: active
Premature babies require extensive medical care and monitoring, especially in the case of intensive neonatal care. The nursing staff and equipment constantly record the vital signs as well as the supply of medication and food. However, this entails using numerous wires and tubes that strain the baby’s sensitive skin and immune system. The NeoWatch project aims to develop a wireless monitoring system for the reliable measurement of premature babies’ vital signs. Without benefiting from funding, InnoSenT is providing support as a partner and working on a CW radar sensor that detects even minimal respiratory movements and records patients’ heart rate. The system combines a camera, temperature sensor, and weight-measuring component and plays a crucial role in offering better and more comfortable care of premature babies in the hospital and also in home monitoring.
Press release from the university Technische Hochschule Nürnberg (TH Nuremberg):
https://www.th-nuernberg.de/forschung-innovation/die-zehn-leitthemen-der-technischen-hochschule-nuernberg/gesundheit/forschungsprojekte/
 
ODESSA
Project duration: 01/10/2018 – 30/09/2020, extended to 30/11/2020
Status: completed
The name ODESSA stands for Obstacle DEtection Sensor for Surveillance on Aircraft. In this EU research project, the four network partners developed a radar solution for ensuring air-traffic safety. To this end, the experts used their knowledge from the automotive industry and applied it to conditions in the airport and air traffic areas. The aim is to generate a new sensor solution that is easy to integrate, exhibits precise performance, and boasts the innovative features of the automotive industry at an affordable price and apply it to air travel. This is meant to achieve greater safety by avoiding accidents (e.g. collisions with drones).
Project website: https://www.odessaproject.eu/
 
 
 
 
TEMPO
Project duration: 01/06/2019–30/05/2022
Status: active
The Tempo project, funded by the EU Commission, is part of the ECSEL research initiative. It is intended to advance the progress in microelectronics with regard to digitisation. The network partners are exploring the possibilities of new memory chips and processors that enable high data management and are particularly well-suited for creating neural networks. The project aims to increase the efficiency of data collection, processing, and reduction in order to optimize the memory and transmission capacity of electronic components. InnoSenT is contributing its expertise in the field of radar applications and AI and demonstrating the application of the hardware components.
To find out more about the project, go to: https://tempo-ecsel.eu/
 
KI-Radar
Project duration: 01/06/2019–30/05/2022
Status: active
With the advancing progress in radar technology, the experts are managing to develop increasingly high-resolution antenna architectures. This enables the environment to be more precisely detected. In order to benefit from this development, the systems and electronic components must interact reliably. The KI-Radar project is thus dedicated to optimising the performance of innovative sensor technology with the aid of artificial intelligence methods. For this purpose, the measured values of several radar sensors are to be coupled almost in real time and their detection range increased by means of 3D antenna structures. The project aims to significantly improve the safety and efficiency of systems in the area of autonomous driving. InnoSenT is taking on the role of network coordinator and providing its many years of experience in the field of automotive radar development.
To find out more about the project, go to: https://www.elektronikforschung.de/projekte/ki-radar
 
 
 
 
 
KI-Delta-Learning
Project duration: 01/06/2019–30/05/2022
Status: active
Autonomous driving has a few hurdles to overcome. One of these is optimising the vehicles’ environmental sensors with regard to the constantly changing surroundings. The assistance systems must reliably cope with handling different road signs or road conditions as well as increasing networking and communication with other technologies. The use of artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important here. In the research project KI-Delta-Learning, various institutions and industry experts are developing new methods and tools to efficiently expand and transform existing AI modules of autonomous vehicles to tackle the challenges of new domains or complex scenarios. InnoSenT is supporting the project with various radar solutions and expertise in the fields of AI, sensor combinations, and 77 GHz vehicle sensors.
Project website: https://www.ki-deltalearning.de/
Press release from InnoSenT GmbH:
https://www.innosent.de/unternehmen/presse/view/article/ki-macht-autonomes-fahren-bereit-fuer-unterschiedliche-umgebungsszenarien/
 
 
 
 
CHARM
Project duration: 01/06/2019–30/05/2022
Status: active
The CHARM research project by the European ECSEL Joint Undertaking aims to equip new technical developments for extremely adverse environmental conditions in industry. Numerous solutions for digitisation and IoT are already established in industry today. In some sectors, however, technical innovations have to overcome some very specific challenges, as they are exposed to considerable thermal, mechanical, or chemical stress. The 37 network partners of the CHARM project are working on testing the novel technology in 6 example fields of application in terms of functionality, suitability, and reliability in practical use. For this purpose, InnoSenT is developing a radar prototype for autonomous mining machines.
Project website: https://charm-ecsel.eu/
Press release from InnoSenT GmbH:
https://www.innosent.de/unternehmen/presse/view/article/ki-macht-autonomes-fahren-bereit-fuer-unterschiedliche-umgebungsszenarien/
 
 
RoboMove3D
Project duration: 01/01/2021 – 31/12/2023
Status: active
The RoboMove3D project builds directly on the experience and successful results achieved in the NetGuard6P project. Using the state-of-the-art technologies and the machine learning methods, the project partners involved are developing a radar sensor system and algorithms for environmental characterisation in order to control and secure industrial robots.
 
 
 
 
 
AniMot
Status: active
AniMot is not a funding project but an important research contribution whose aim is to prevent collisions between road users and wildlife. For this purpose, AniMot motion expert GmbH is developing innovative concepts to secure the road network. This includes a sensor solution that warns of crossing wildlife. As part of the cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (FHWS) and the student support program, InnoSenT is supporting the project with its many years of expertise in the field of radar development and application. You can learn more about AniMot at: www.animot.eu