Next-Generation Object Detection System with Adaptive WDR Binary Image Fusion Optimized for High-Illumination Environments

In high-illumination environments, conventional object detection systems suffer from severe performance degradation due to pixel saturation, which leads to information loss in overexposed regions. To address this issue, we propose a WDR (wide dynamic range) binary image fusion and detection system, which enhances object visibility and detection accuracy under extreme lighting conditions. The proposed system consists of a WDR dual-imaging CMOS image sensor (CIS) that simultaneously captures a general image and a WDR binary image, an image fusion model that integrates the two images to restore lost features, and an object detection model that enhances detection performance in saturated areas. Experimental results demonstrate that the WDR binary image effectively preserves object contours even in overexposed regions, while the fusion model compensates for missing details, significantly improving object detection accuracy. Additionally, the proposed system eliminates the need for image alignment between multiple sensor inputs, providing a notable advantage in processing speed, making it highly suitable for real-time object detection applications. Quantitative evaluations show that the proposed method outperforms conventional approaches in terms of entropy, edge preservation (Qabf), and mAP@50:95, achieving up to 58.2%p higher detection performance in extreme brightness conditions. These findings confirm that the proposed WDR binary image fusion and detection system offers a robust and efficient solution for object detection in challenging high-illumination environments, ensuring enhanced visibility, improved accuracy, and real-time feasibility.