Innoviz’s system is making its debut on Drive Group’s network of highways, bridges and tunnels. The system uses light detection and ranging (Lidar) technology.
The system is designed to detect the approach of oversized vehicles in time to stop them from hitting the structure.
Innoviz said that its system could potentially reduce bridge and tunnel collisions around the world, which could save lives, prevent infrastructure damage and mitigate severe traffic congestion.
The Bridge Collision Detection system uses data gathered from Innoviz Lidar sensors from both sides of a highway, several kilometres ahead of the entrance to a bridge or tunnel. The system identifies vehicles with heights or widths exceeding predefined ranges determined by the road operator. Alerts can trigger a camera to identify and share licence plate information with local authorities, who can intervene and stop the vehicle to prevent potential collisions.
Innoviz said that use Lidar-based system offers a more accurate 3D visualisation of a vehicle's dimensions than information from images.
"There is no reason to accept the present situation of bridge and tunnel accidents,” said Innoviz CEO and co-founder, Omer Keilaf. “It is estimated that 2-3% of the world's bridges are damaged every year, and we believe the technologies being developed at Innoviz can be a game changer for roadways across the world. We're excited to partner with Drive Group, who quickly embraced our all-new application for Lidar-based technology to solve a decades-long problem and serve a real need that can benefit highways around the world.”
Drive Group collaborated with Innoviz in the early phases of commercialising the Bridge Collision Detection system. After a successful first trial, an agreement was signed that created a pathway for Drive Group to become a distributor of the technology for a broader deployment to highway and other local authority customers.
"When it comes to road safety, we at Drive Group are committed to finding the most effective, safe and advanced technological solutions out there, said Itamar Ben Meir, CEO of Drive Group. “We are very impressed by the technology developed at Innoviz and its potential to help reduce road accidents, and we are excited that we found a potentially world-leading solution right here in Israel. Our goal is to distribute this solution not just in Israel, but globally.”
