The Story Behind High-Performance Hybrid Lenses for Autonomous Driving

- Developers who created innovation at LG Innotek -

▲ (From left) Developers of High-Performance Hybrid Lenses - Seungwon Seok, Seongjin Park, Se-yeon Choi, Joonyoung Lim, Changkyoon So, Ki-cheol Kim

When asked, “What material are lenses made from?" most would say, "Glass." But, did you know that plastic lenses are also widely used across various fields?

Plastic lenses are also used in some unexpected areas, such as vehicle sensing cameras. Through a groundbreaking approach, LG Innotek cross-applied plastic and glass inside the lens and successfully developed a new ‘Hybrid Lens’. We spoke with the developers of the hybrid lens, who achieved this success despite the difficult development process through their expertise and strong teamwork, winning both the LG Awards and a Patent Award.

*LG Awards: LG Group's innovation award recognizing outstanding cases of achieving customer experience innovation across products, technology, and services throughout the year.

Q. Please introduce LG Innotek’s hybrid lens and how it’s different from conventional lenses.

In simple terms, it’s a vehicle camera lens that uses both glass and plastic. Traditional vehicle lenses are made from glass only. Plastic wasn’t used because it lacks durability and has a high risk of structural deformation due to temperature changes, making it unsuitable for vehicle cameras where stability is crucial. Unlike smartphones, which are not used in temperatures ranging from [박1]  -40℉ to 203℉ (-40°C to 95°C), vehicles can be exposed to such extreme conditions depending on driving environments.

However, plastic lenses have many advantages—lightweight, easier to process, and cost-effective. Therefore, LG Innotek developed the ‘Hybrid Lens’ to combine these advantages with those of glass lenses. With our innovative technologies, we were able to process the plastic material to withstand extreme conditions and arrange the plastic and glass lenses for optimal design. There are two types of high-performance hybrid lenses: one for DMS (Driver Monitoring System) and one for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System). Remarkably, LG Innotek is the first in the world to use plastic in ADAS lenses to achieve high performance.

Q. What key aspects did you focus on, and what challenges did you face in developing the technology?

We prioritized reducing the thickness of the hybrid lenses compared to traditional all-glass products to offer greater design flexibility for vehicles and enhance cost-effectiveness. We successfully reduced the thickness by 20-30%, and this provides carmakers more flexibility in vehicle interior and exterior designs. Furthermore, the lenses maintain consistent performance regardless of temperature, ensuring they match the performance of all-glass lenses while also being more cost-effective.

Q. Were there any memorable episodes during the development of the Hybrid Lenses?

We initiated the project in response to a sudden request from the client, so the hybrid lens development schedule was very tight. We needed to complete the design, production, evaluation, and module build within just four months. Thanks to the team’s dedication and passion, even working through weekends, we made it possible to develop the new lens on time.

In the end, the feeling was indescribable when our hybrid lens received great feedback from the client. It brought to mind all the numerous discussions and challenges our team went through. It was incredibly fulfilling and felt like our hard work was truly appreciated. I have a strong bond with the members who shared that challenging experience, and we are still close after all this time.

Q. You won the LG Awards for the hybrid lens. How did you feel when you received the award?

We were genuinely surprised because we weren’t expecting it. There were many excellent products and ideas from other teams, some of which had significantly increased sales. Even though our hybrid lens is a new product in its initial stages, we were thrilled to receive the award. I believe it was recognized for its potential and promise.

Especially, it was a great honor to share this joy with my colleagues, who have endured the journey together, worked tirelessly and supported each other. This experience will continue to motivate us to take on more challenges and strive for much greater growth in the future.

Q. (To Changkyoon Son Principal Research Engineer) You’ve won the LG Innotek 2022 Patent Award. What technology did you develop, and what were your thoughts when you received the award?

I received the award for my work on the optical design technology of hybrid lenses. This technology is used in designing DMS (Driver Monitoring System) camera lenses to improve performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency, leading to high customer satisfaction. I was thrilled when I heard the news and felt grateful to my colleagues who assisted me.

Q. Lastly, why do you think LG Innotek‘s Hybrid Lens is remarkable?

Joonyoung Lim : There are many reasons (laughs). We’ve identified and resolved customer pain points, united specialists from various fields to achieve outstanding results quickly, and we’re leading the global market. All of these make our hybrid lens truly remarkable.

Seungwon Seok : What makes this lens remarkable is “its ability to achieve what was necessary but previously considered impossible.” Every member of the project team behind this success is also remarkable.

Seongjin Park : I would say it’s remarkable because “we developed a new technology to overcome material limitations.” I’m so proud that we collaborated harmoniously as one team, using our expertises in optics, mechanics, simulation, and algorithms to achieve this innovative technology.

Ki-cheol Kim : The LG Innotek‘s hybrid lens shows “the incredible synergy that happens when a team of dedicated specialists from different fields cooperates.” Our story is a true example of overcoming challenges that seemed impossible.

In the future mobility era, LG Innotek always be on your side.