The LiDAR radar is also used on snow ploughs

They are a very common sight on mountain roads, where they clear the roads and provide a clear path for cars to travel. Snow ploughs are vehicles fitted with equipment that allows them to remove snow as they move. It is something very simple that seems not to need much technology. But we have already seen that accidents can happen, such as the one suffered by actor Jeremy Renner, who was run over by a snow plough and seriously injured.

For this reason, the most modern versions of these snow ploughs are equipped with the most cutting-edge technology to move safely over snowy terrain and avoid accidents of this kind. One of the technologies implemented in snow plough vehicles is the LiDAR radar.

The PistenBully brand, manufactured by Kässbohrer, has incorporated this technology into the machine, so that it offers greater safety to the driver… and to possible users of the road. The cabin has gone from being something simple to something highly technological and modern.

This technology is called Snowcat LiDAR and it measures the depth of the snow. With this information, the driver can have a clearer idea of where to move it to clear the path. The LiDAR allows the driver to see up to 50 metres ahead of the vehicle, as well as the sides where the snow that hinders passage could be thrown.

The sensors placed on the roof make it possible to collect up to 200,000 data points about what is happening around, and to detect everything within an area of 2,600 square metres. On the screen, the highest points are shown in green and the points with less snow density are marked in red.

With this information, snow clearing can be carried out in much less time and the working time can be optimised. Safety is increased because the sensors detect rocks and changes in ground level far better than simple observation by the driver. Safety is greater with the use of this technology, which offers a level 3 autonomous driving capability.