A method for road condition recognition

Automotive radar technology for detecting low-friction spots caused by water, ice or snow on asphalt. Low friction spots can be detected with radar by comparing backscattered signals at different polarizations. Requirements for the radar are considered and 24 GHz radar for road condition recognition is found feasible. Automotive radars are expected to increase safety and driver's comfort by improving driver's ability to perceive objects in low-visibility conditions or objects hidden in blind spots. It is invented, that automotive radars could also be used for detecting road conditions, such as lowered friction due to water or ice on the road. Currently water and ice is detected with infrared optical sensors which are not cost effective for ordinary passenger cars. The advantage of radar sensors over optical would be that forward looking radars could detect low friction spots from a long range whereas optical sensors' detection range is a few meters only. In addition, when using multipurpose radar sensors the total number of sensors is not increased giving also cost benefits.Patent family as of 8.9.2021DE602009015189D1 20130627 DE200960015189T 20090909 DE602009050043 D1 20180118 DE200960050043T 20090909 EP2216659 A1 20100811 EP20090397523 20090909 EP2216659 B1 20130424 EP20090397523 20090909 EP2653882 A1 20131023 EP20130164708 20090909 EP2653882 B1 20171220 EP20130164708 20090909 FI121250 B 20100831 FI20080005858 20080911 FI20085858 A 20100312 FI20080005858 20080911 FI20085858 A0 20080911 FI20080005858 20080911Link to current patent family on right