FLIR 334-0001-00 PathFindIRLE 30-Hertz, NTSC (CAMERA ONLY)

PathFindIR

Unique in the industry, PathFindIR is an automotive-qualified system designed primarily for driving vision enhancement (DVE) applications. PathFindIR is a hermetically sealed system, rated to IP-67, with an integrated, automatic window heater. using a 12VDC input power source, standard NTSC or PAL video is output for compatibility with most monitors or displays.

PathFindIR is intended for integration into vehicles as an aftermarket addition. A full-feature system, PN 334-0008-00 (military non-logo version SB 334-009-00) is also available for OEM applications such as maritime, military vehicles, security, and other uses that can be satisfied with basic video output and 36° field of view.

PathFindIR is based on a 320x240 thermal camera system with a 38-micron pixel pitch, and integral 19mm lens.

Applications

The PathFindIR is used in a variety of transportation and driving vision enhancement applications. While the unit is designed for automotive and trucking OEM's such as BMW, the PathFindIR has found its way into a variety of other OEM segments. Fire Rescue, recreational vehicles, maritime, and UGV's are all benefiting from the compact, sealed package and fast integration design.

Vehicle OEM (Heavy Trucking) Truck OEM's, and large vehicle OEM's, benefit from the PathFindIR in many ways. Simply put, the increased detection (up to 4 times farther than that of traditional headlights) of potential hazards in the road and in the ditches provides significant increases in reaction time. OEM integration into new models is easy and affordable.

Recreational Vehicles (Class A, C, Super C) Recreational Vehicles are a perfect fit for the PathFindIR. Because of their size, expense of repair and typical rural driving locations thermal imaging is a necessity to help guide and assist your clients to their destination safely.

Mining Phoenix Products has incorporated the PathFindIR into their IS1000 driving vision system for many mining applications. Shovel and scoop vehicles benefit from thermal imaging by being able to see through dust and debris, even at night, assuring that the product gets to the haul truck efficiently and without delay. Haul trucks benefit from thermal imaging by assuring safe driving to the dump location. Vibration dampening, mining certified enclosure, industrial grade monitor, and removeable high impact optic make the IS1000 a perfect fit for many mining applications.

Emergency Response Vehicles OEM's in the fire rescue community have incorporated the PathFindIR on their ARFF vehicles for driving vision enhancement and snozzle mounted fire control system. Since thermal imaging sees through smoke, the fire fighters are able to detect the areas of concern and arrive safely at the scene.

Passenger Vehicle Aftermarket Aftermarket mobile video companies such as NAV TV Corporation have designed interface kits to provide factory navigation systems to accept and control the PathFindIR driving vision system. Range Rover and Mercedes are two of the latest interface kits currently available through NAV TV.

Thermal Imaging Driver Vision Enhancement System

The PathFindIR camera is designed to provide enhanced vision and better situational awareness for the driver during normal night time driving and in adverse weather conditions than with traditional headlights alone.

Many serious accidents occur at night because the driver is not able to see the cause of the accident in time to prevent the collision. PathFindIR systems directly address this problem, allowing drivers to see farther ahead on night time roadways and identify potential problems earlier. Humans and other warm blooded animals offer significant thermal contrast to driving backgrounds and are easy to spot with the PathFindIR camera. The system allows drivers to see without any additional lighting and provides real-time imaging at any speed.

Different than visible light cameras, thermal imagers do not display reflected light as seen with human eyes. Rather, thermal imaging cameras only 'see' temperature differences which are converted into shades of grey, from black to white. The PathFindIR camera in the standard configuration displays cold objects as black and hot objects as white.

When using a thermal imager in darkness, the image is created based on temperature differences of objects in the field of view, rather than reflected light from headlights.

Because thermal imaging cameras only 'see' heat sources and not reflected light, they are ideal to assist with driver vision and situational awareness for oncoming obstructions such as animals, people, and other vehicles.

Without FLIR PathFindIR	With FLIR PathFindIR
Without FLIR PathFindIR	With FLIR PathFindIR

The above images show comparisons of typical night time driving compared to using the PathFindIR thermal imager. The image on the left is from an ordinary digital camera and shows the amount of visible light; the image on the right is a thermal image created by the PathFindIR thermal imaging camera. Note the PathFindIR camera is sensitive to warm objects, such as pedestrians, and provides visibility over a much greater distance

Some of the objects that are most critical for a driver to avoid are people and animals. Because these objects are naturally warm, they are particularly easy to see with the PathFindIR system and clearly stand out in the video image.

Although adverse conditions such as heavy fog will affect any driver vision enhancement system, thermal imaging cameras such as the PathFindIR camera have been shown to continue to provide useful information in conditions of reduced visibility, such as haze and smoke. While the PathFindIR camera can assist drivers with detection of obstructions in the vehicle’s path, thermal imagers should not be used as the sole vision method of the driver.

PathFindIR cameras are specifically designed for the harsh automotive environment, with a hermetically-sealed external housing resistant to rocks, sand, salt, and under-hood contaminants. Additionally, the wide operating temperature range allows the PathFindIR camera to maintain high performance in severe weather conditions.