{"id":13146,"date":"2023-02-17T11:13:24","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T09:13:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canatu.com\/?p=13146"},"modified":"2025-10-20T15:53:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T12:53:00","slug":"case-study-de-icing-for-lidar-sensors-canatu-cnt-and-covestro-makrofol-pc-film","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canatu.com\/company\/carbon-age-news\/case-study-de-icing-for-lidar-sensors-canatu-cnt-and-covestro-makrofol-pc-film\/","title":{"rendered":"De-icing for LiDAR ranging sensors: Canatu CNT and Covestro Makrofol\u00ae PC film"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems are vital for autonomous vehicles, but ice, snow and fog can obstruct their ranging sensors. Together with Covestro<\/a>, we developed a LiDAR sensor cover lens made of Covestro Makrolon\u00ae AG polycarbonate resin with an integrated Canatu film heater on Makrofol\u00ae PC film.<\/p>\n

Case study in German \/ Siehe Fallstudie auf Deutch<\/a> \/ Case study in Chinese \/ \u67e5\u770b\u4e2d\u6587\u6848\u4f8b\u7814\u7a76<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Task:<\/strong> More reliable LiDAR sensor ranging in all types of weather<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Autonomous vehicles depend on light detection and ranging or LiDAR systems for unimpeded navigation. Their laser pulse sensors continuously map the vehicle\u2019s surroundings, detecting objects and quickly measuring distances and elevations with high accuracy. Unobstructed LiDAR sensors and 3D mapping make self-driving cars possible. 

In contrast to RADAR which uses radio waves for remote sensing, LiDAR systems use pulses of laser light to create a 3D map of a vehicle\u2019s immediate surroundings. This means that winter weather presents a particular challenge for a LiDAR sensor\u2019s field of view (FOV). The buildup of ice, snow and fog on the cover lens can disrupt the continuous light detection, measurement and 3D mapping that autonomous vehicles rely on. In harsh weather, this loss in accuracy could even affect the detection and safety of nearby pedestrians.

By jointly engineering a production-ready heated LiDAR cover lens that stands up to harsh winter weather, we are ensuring the measurement accuracy of the LiDAR data stream. This in turn enhances the reliability of the 3D mapping process, enabling autonomous driving in any weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By combining our expertise in carbon nanotubes and flexible transparent film heaters with Covestro’s in-depth knowledge of thermoplastic polymers and the film insert molding (FIM) process, we were able to achieve excellent results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jointly developed LiDAR cover lens component with integrated Canatu CNT heater.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Challenge:<\/strong> LiDAR transparency and effective de-icing of sensor cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the automotive industry, polycarbonate (PC) is a widely used material for optical lenses. This robust and lightweight alternative to glass is flexible enough to be molded into almost any shape. It has high heat stability and meets the demanding laser light transmission requirements of remote sensing LiDAR systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For laser sensor cover lens surfaces, 3D formed polycarbonate films provide excellent light transmission and diffusion, and can also be integrated with electronics, lighting, switches, and controls. This makes PC films ideal for LiDAR sensor cover components in autonomous vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The specific challenge here was to create a durable and lightweight sensor cover lens with an integrated film heater featuring high LiDAR transparency in the near-infrared range along with effective de-icing. The sensor cover lens required fast, evenly distributed, and energy-efficient de-icing over its whole surface. The heating process had to work without causing any optical distortion or deflection of the laser pulse signal which could impede the remote sensing and 3D mapping process needed for autonomous driving. In addition, the heated, transparent cover lens component had to be manufactured using a cost-efficient, easily customizable film insert molding (FIM) process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“The trend towards electric mobility and assisted driving creates a need for more functional exterior components. Maintaining a high-quality data stream from front integrated LiDAR sensors under all conditions is paramount. Canatu offers a promising technology for tackling this challenge.”<\/p>\nDr. Maximilian Hemgesberg
Segment Head Mobility EMEA & LATAM, Specialty Films, Covestro<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Solution:<\/strong> Cover lens with Canatu LiDAR heater in Covestro Makrofol\u00ae PC film<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In our joint solution, a Canatu carbon nanotube film heater is fabricated on Makrofol\u00ae polycarbonate film. This wire-free, integrated film heater provides high transmittance, highly effective de-icing and even heating over the entire sensor cover surface, without any optical distortion or negative effect on laser light detection performance. The heater can be flexibly tailored to match a customer\u2019s optical needs, heating performance criteria or brand design across a range of input voltages. The Makrofol\u00ae PC surface film offers high heat resistance, along with LiDAR transparency in the near infrared range and inherent 3D formability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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Download technical data<\/h2>\n

Download brochure to learn more on the state-of-the-art film heater for LiDAR sensor deicing and anti-fogging.<\/p>\n