Research on calibration method for optical characteristics of pedestrian targets in autonomous vehicle testing

The test targets for the perception function of autonomous vehicles are crucial equipment for evaluating the reliability and safety of automotive ADAS systems. However, due to the lack of effective regulatory technical means, a large number of obviously deformed and damaged targets are still used repeatedly and for extended periods until they are completely damaged during testing. The test results obtained using poor-quality or even unqualified targets pose potential safety risks that cannot be ignored for subsequent open road testing and consumer use, highlighting the urgent need to establish practical and effective quantitative calibration methods for the optical characteristics of these targets. In response to this urgent need, this paper studies and establishes a calibration method for the optical spatial distribution reflection characteristics of typical humanoid targets. Furthermore, based on a novel three-dimensional polyhedral standard body, industrial cameras, and a bidirectional reflection distribution function analysis algorithm using the photographic method, a set of traceable on-site calibration devices is constructed. This has positive significance for establishing and improving relevant regulatory technical means, evaluation standards, and technical specifications, as well as exploring traceable technology for supervising the entire life cycle of test target quality.