Overview
ISO 23150-1:2026 defines general information and principles for the logical interface between environmental perception sensors and the data fusion unit in road vehicles equipped with automated driving functions. Developed by ISO as part of the broader ISO 23150 series, this standard provides guidance for establishing a consistent, modular, and semantic interface to facilitate efficient information exchange between vehicle sensors and the data fusion unit responsible for generating a dynamic surround model.
This first part of the series lays out foundational concepts and provides generic interface templates for different abstraction levels and sensor technologies. The document specifically addresses logical, not electrical or mechanical, interfaces and does not cover raw data interfaces.
Key Topics
- Logical Interface Layers: Description and structuring of interface layers, including detection, advanced detection, feature, and object levels, which support various stages of data processing for environmental perception in automated driving.
- Modular and Semantic Representation: Establishing a modular approach and semantic definitions for how sensor data should be structured and interpreted by the fusion unit.
- Abstraction Levels: Providing information on different levels of abstraction tailored to sensor technology, facilitating scalable integration and development for multiple types of sensors and functions.
- Generic Interface Templates: Templates for multiple interface levels to guide implementation-for example, signal grouping, profiles for road properties, object classification, and measurement status.
- Supportive and Input Interfaces: Guidance on interfaces that supply supporting information as well as those handling sensor input from in-vehicle networks, enhancing interoperability.
- Terminology and Definitions: Standardized vocabulary including terms like object, detection, feature, tracking, accuracy, and precision, supporting clear communication across suppliers and system developers.
Applications
ISO 23150-1:2026 is applicable in the design and development of automated and highly automated driving systems for road vehicles. Its primary practical benefits include:
- Interoperability and Integration: By providing general principles and templates for logical sensor-to-fusion interfaces, automotive suppliers and manufacturers can achieve more straightforward integration of diverse sensor systems into automated driving platforms.
- Scalability and Modularity: The modular approach allows the standard to accommodate future sensor technologies and evolving functional requirements in automated driving, supporting reusability and minimizing development effort.
- Vendor Neutrality: Standardized semantic interfaces ensure that components from various vendors can communicate seamlessly, fostering a competitive supplier landscape.
- Reduced Development Cost: Harmonizing communication protocols and abstraction levels reduces duplication of effort in sensor and algorithm development.
- Enhanced Scene Understanding: By guiding the fusion of comprehensive, multi-sensor input into a coherent surround model, the standard underpins safer and more reliable automated driving functions.
Related Standards
- ISO 23150 Series: This standard is part of a broader series covering various aspects of logical interfaces for road vehicles with automated driving functions. Relevant companion documents include:
- ISO 23150-2 – Specific requirements and profiles for advanced use cases
- ISO 23150-11/12/13/14/15/20 – Covering further specialization, profiles, and use case extensions
- ISO/IEC 2382:2015 – Information technology vocabulary, terms used in interface definitions
- ISO 15007:2020 – Related concepts on driver monitoring, which intersect with perception systems
For organizations developing automated driving systems, implementing ISO 23150-1:2026 lays the groundwork for safer, more reliable, and future-proof sensor integration and data fusion in road vehicles. Adopting this standard helps ensure systems are ready to evolve alongside technological advances and regulatory changes in automated driving.