Paints and Coatings for Autonomous Vehicles

Especially in recent years, successful studies in the field of artificial intelligence show that vehicles can reach full autonomous status in the not too distant future. We can already say that these vehicles, which will require little human interaction or will be completely self-driving, will cause radical changes in the current automotive ecosystem.

So how will this new reality affect and change automotive coatings? In this article, we will try to answer this question, but first, it would be useful to briefly summarize the concept of Autonomous Vehicle.

Autonomous Vehicle Levels

In the automotive industry, 5 different levels of autonomy are generally accepted. At Level 1, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can assist the driver with steering
or braking/acceleration, but not both at the same time. At Level 2, ADAS can control both steering and braking/acceleration at the same time in some situations. The driver must always keep his full attention on driving and do the rest of the driving task. At Level 3, an automatic driving system (ADS) can perform all aspects of the driving task on its own, only when suitable conditions exist.

However, when the system asks the driver to do so, the driver must always be ready to take back control. In all other conditions, the driver must perform the driving task. Level 4 can now be considered as the replacement of the driver by the automatic driver. In certain situations, the automatic driving system (ADS) can perform all the driving tasks it self and monitor the driving environment, for example it can perform essentially all driving by itself. In this case, the driver does not need to pay attention. Level 5 stands for fully autonomous vehicle system. The automatic driving system (ADS) can do the full ride in any condition, in other words people become just passengers and never need to be involved in driving the vehicle.

Potential Benefits

Autonomous vehicles have the potential to deliver a range of social, economic and environmental benefits. If drivers become passengers, their time use can be improved and
any driving stress reduced. Traffic accidents, traffic jams and accident insurance premiums can become a thing of the past with autonomous driving models and optimization of their behavior. This optimization can help improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. However, these benefits may not be fully realized until a certain percent age of vehicles become autonomous.

Consumer Interest

The perceived benefits of autonomous vehicles have translated into consumer interest in autonomous technologies. An MIT AgeLab whitepaper presented data on the acceptance and relevance of autonomous technologies based on age groups. In general, younger adults are more comfortable with vehicle autonomy than older adults. Forty percent of adults aged 25 to 34 reported that the maximum level of autonomy they are comfortable with is full autonomy, meaning level 5. This rate falls below 25% for all age groups over the age of 44. However, more than 50% of respondents in the older adult market also stated
that they were satisfied with technologies that assisted the driver in some way.

These numbers show that the slow and methodical spread of autonomous technologies could find a significant customer base across all age groups.

Light Absorption and Sensor Detection

Now as we briefly got to know the automom vehicle technology, now we can talk about the relationship of this technology with the coating industry. The coatings will be crucial for the various sensors that will allow vehicles to communicate with each other, see each other, and detect obstacles and where the road is. For example, a test showed that vehicles of different colors reflect the infrared signal to different extents. This of course means that, vehicles of different colors are more or less “visible”. In this context, leading coating companies are developing various technologies. Such as, coatings with enhanced dark vehicle detection are designed that allow light to penetrate through a reflective substrate. The signal “bounces” through this layer and returns to the sensor instead of being absorbed. It is also possible that these paints will be used not only for cars but also for bridge piers, making them more visible to the sensors of autonomous vehicles. Coating companies also hope to develop advanced coatings that will absorb less infrared light and still provide excellent color and appearance. Autonomous vehicles require the use of multiple sensors and cameras. Coatings with easy-to-clean or dirt-resistant properties are of critical importance in these devices. Also, frost resistant coatings would be ideal for particularly cold climates.

Radar Frequency

Moving many different vehicles in traffic too close to each other can bring along the problem of cross communication where electromagnetic signals drift and mix with each
other, which can disrupt the good operation of equipment. In this context, technologies that do not interfere with the signals and do not reduce the performance of each other will be preferred.

Environmental Coatings

The visibility of coatings to sensors is not limited to on-vehicle applications. Autonomous vehicles must see not only other vehicles, but also a multi-component environment
that includes lane markings, street signs, pedestrians. There is a need for pigmented coating systems that can increase the visibility of these objects. Unlike exterior paint systems, where designers want to achieve a certain color and aesthetic space, detection criteria will come to the fore in lane markings and pedestrian safety vests. Maximizing visibility into autonomous vehicles may be more important than cosmetic color.

A Fully Autonomous Future

While it will take many years for customers to accept and adopt autonomous vehicles, a future in which all vehicles on the road are fully self-propelled is highly probable. At this point, the concept of owning a car can also radically change. While automobiles are an object of passion today, they may turn into a form of public transportation in the future. When the fully autonomous system is adopted, these vehicles can operate 24/7 and can be rented as a taxi when the owner is not driving. This would reduce cars to just a vehicle that transports passengers from point A to point B. In this context, the perspective on automotive paints and coatings will change, and functionality will come to the fore rather than aesthetics. In addition, it should be remembered that the integration of fully autonomous systems of traffic will greatly reduce accidents, which will almost completely eliminate the refinish market. A new era is beginning for the automotive paint and coating industry, the industry will adapt to this new reality by evaluating its pros and cons.

Compilation and Translation by: B. Serhat Cengiz

References

•http://agelab.mit.edu/files/publications/2016_6_Autonomous_Vehicles_Consumer_Preferences.pdf
• https://www.nhtsa.gov/technology-innovation/automated-vehicles-safety
• https://scan.ppgrefinish.com/en/news/2018/02/how-high-tech-paint-and-coatings enable-autonomous-driving/#
• https://www.paint.org/coatingstech-magazine/articles/future-coatings-world autonomous-vehicles/