A growing shift towards radar-based sensors for active safety systems seems to be taking place in the automotive industry, according to a study conducted by consulting firm ABI Research.

“All the latest driver assistance systems use some form of obstacle detection technology to constantly monitor what is going on around the vehicle,” said ABI Research principal analyst David Alexander. “Ultrasonics, radar, and cameras all play a role in currently available technology, but we see some trends emerging that indicate a shift towards radar sensors as the key technology over the next five years.”

In its study, entitled “Automotive Obstacle Detection Systems,” ABI studied the growing availability of a variety of driver assistance systems, such as blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. From its study, ABI said ultrasonics remains the technology of choice for parking assistance, but even that domain could be challenged in the future as radar and camera technologies become less expensive and more powerful.