The future of e-mobility will encompass next-generation powertrains and new fleets of self-driving vehicles. A crucial requirement for any self-driving units is being able to detect other vehicles. However, William Brunat, technical director for automotive coatings at PPG, suggests the current types of paint used could render the vehicles invisible to autonomous detection systems.

“Most of the cars are coated with conventional paints, but we know it’s going to change with the use of LiDar, new specifications and all the regulations that will be needed,” he states.

Lidar systems use ultraviolet, visible or near-infrared light in order to map objects. One issue with this technology has been the light from the laser pulse being partially reflected by water droplets in bad weather, making it difficult for the system to properly detect any objects in its path. However, Brunat points to another potential challenge; the reduced reflectivity of some conventional paints…