Genesis isn't far behind Mercedes in bringing Level 3 autonomy to the full-size sedan segment.
New spy photos have emerged of the Genesis G90 full-size luxury sedan out in the wild, but instead of a traditional facelift, the purpose of the G90 being tested here is to evaluate its new LiDAR sensors.
The G90 received a stunning design refresh not long ago, so we don't expect any significant exterior changes. This also explains why the camouflage is focused on concealing the LiDAR sensors, which our spies have conveniently pointed out in the images below.
We've known for some time that the G90 would be coming with Level 3 semi-autonomous technology, which is known as Highway Driving Pilot by the Hyundai Motor Group. This will make the G90 one of the very few Level 3-enabled cars on the market.
In the USA, Mercedes-Benz recently became the first automaker to offer Level 3 self-driving tech on the 2024 iterations of the S-Class and EQS, with the system approved for use in Nevada and soon expected in California.
Level 3 tech, whereby the car can handle more driving duties on its own than ordinary Level 2 systems such as Cadillac's Super Cruise, has been available overseas for longer. It debuted in the Honda Legend, Japan's version of the Acura RLX, roughly two years ago.
Volvo is another automaker to invest heavily in LiDAR, which can more accurately identify other cars and obstacles than purely camera-based systems as used in modern Teslas. Previous studies show that LiDAR can detect obstacles over 3,200 feet away in some instances.
On the new G90, the LiDAR sensors – which will support automatic lane changes – are positioned in the grille, not far from the headlights. By comparison, the new Volvo EX90 also has a LiDAR sensor mounted on its roof. While the camo may be hiding more than just the sensors on this G90, this seems unlikely, and the rest of the car looks very much like the current G90 on sale.
While the accuracy of LiDAR is undeniable, the tech isn't perfect. A recent study highlighted how a LiDAR-equipped vehicle could be easily “blinded” using a relatively simple laser-based tool, severely compromising many of its detection capabilities. This shouldn't be a problem in most real-world scenarios but points to a potential vulnerability of LiDAR systems.
The upgraded G90 with LiDAR will hopefully debut later this year.
Keyword: Spied: LiDAR-Equipped Genesis G90 Has Mercedes S-Class In Its Sights