Technology aimed at improving the performance of autonomous cars in visually challenging conditions has been developed by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) . Driverless cars that have struggled to maneuver through blinding conditions due to their reliance on light-based image sensors will get an on-chip system that detects signals at sub-terahertz wavelengths. The technology means vehicles can be enhanced with an on - board , sub - terahertz ( infrared ) imaging system , rather than relying on light - based image sensors . This would allow the vehicle to detect sub - frequency waves coming from an object and to use those signals to create an image of that object . Unlike traditional infrared - based LIDAR imaging systems , sub - THz waves are detectable even in adverse visual conditions , such as fog .
Technology aimed at improving the performance of autonomous cars in visually challenging conditions has been developed by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) . The technology means vehicles can be enhanced with an on - board , sub - terahertz ( infrared ) imaging system , rather than relying on light - based image sensors . This would allow the vehicle to detect sub - frequency waves coming from an object and to use those signals to create an image of that object . Unlike traditional infrared - based LIDAR imaging systems , sub - THz waves are detectable even in adverse visual conditions , such as fog .