Active prevention of snow accumulation on cameras of autonomous vehicles

Abstract Accumulation of atmospheric icing, particularly wet snow, on the visual sensors/navigators autonomous vehicles (AVs) increases possibility accidents by obstructing lenses sensors. Here, two navigator designs were suggested that use airflow across lens surfaces AVs to prevent snow accumulation them. The impact intensity lens, wind velocity (relative with respect vehicle), and liquid water content prevention was explored experimentally. artificial grains formed using a novel gun their average sizes at low (LWC ≈ 8%) high 28%) measured study grain camera lenses. effects velocity, density, diameter trajectory in testing section also studied numerically. results indicated higher or possessed inertia forces more prone collide navigator, increasing collision efficiency grains. We realized effectively prevented vehicle/wind velocities up 20 mph. proposed actively reduced promising be applied future AVs. Graphic abstract