ART SpA, an Italian automotive electronics manufacturer specialising in high-performance sports car systems, needed a parking camera lens capable of delivering exceptional image quality under extreme conditions: high vibration, wide temperature swings, direct sunlight exposure, and tight packaging constraints demanded by exotic vehicle platforms.
This case study details how Sunex and ART SpA collaborated on the optical design, qualification, and production ramp of a custom lens solution — including the specific engineering challenges resolved during the development program.
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF AUTOMOTIVE CAMERA PERFORMANCE
When engineering camera systems for high-end sports cars, precision optics alone are not enough. These systems must excel under extreme environmental conditions—heat from nearby exhausts, cold water shocks, vibration from rigid chassis, and exposure to dust and moisture, all while maintaining flawless digital image quality. In addressing this complex challenge, ART SpA, a technology leader in automotive electronics, found a trusted optical partner in Sunex.
The Challenge: Performance Beyond the Image
ART set out to design a new generation of parking cameras for the luxury automotive segment. The requirements were steep: the cameras had to deliver ultra-wide viewing angles for precise parking and surround vision, survive near-exhaust placement where high temperatures are constant, and pass rigorous OEM-level durability testing. These tests included thermal cycling, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and ingress protection against high-pressure water jets.
Additionally, the cameras had to be compact, easy to integrate into tight vehicle spaces, and built to withstand both mechanical stress and the demands of premium vehicle aesthetics. Beyond hardware resilience, any drop in image quality remained a non-negotiable. Drivers of supercars expect top-tier visuals as part of their overall in-car infotainment experience.
The Partnership: Engineering a Solution
To meet these demands, ART chose to partner with Sunex, a globally recognized leader in high-performance optics for automotive applications. This collaboration began in 2012, when ART was developing its first automotive telemetry camera. The success of that initial project laid the groundwork for a long-term partnership that has since evolved to cover 2D parking systems, 3D surround vision cameras, and most recently, a 4K telemetry platform.
For the latest parking system project, ART designed a camera entirely in aluminum for superior thermal conductivity and structural rigidity. The housing achieved an IP6K9K rating, the gold standard for ingress protection, ensuring resistance to both dust and powerful water jets. However, the optical component was the key to success. ART integrated Sunex’s all-glass/metal wide-angle lenses, which provided a 190° field of view (FOV) and were engineered to resist the warping or degradation often seen in plastic optics under thermal load.
Testing the Limits: Validation Of Worst-Case Scenarios
The validation process for these systems was as demanding as the environment in which they are built to operate in. ART’s test protocols simulated worst-case scenarios: high-heat exposure from nearby exhaust systems followed by rapid cooling from pressurized cold water, resulting in intense thermal shock. Cameras also underwent long-duration vibration tests, leak assessments, and full EMC qualification.
These Sunex lenses not only survived the most challenging stress tests but also consistently delivered high-resolution and low-distortion imagery, critical for parking assistance and real-time driver feedback.
According to ART’s product management team, the combination of aluminum body design and Sunex optics proved to be a winning formula. The robust mechanical design protected internal components while the all-glass/metal lens prevented common failure modes such as humidity ingress, lens fogging, or optical warping.
The use of Sunex lenses has been fundamental to achieving success, thanks to their high-quality materials, construction, and image performance.
Why It Works: Optical Excellence in Harsh Conditions
In the context of performance vehicles, where camera housings are often integrated into aerodynamic designs and exposed to elevated stress levels, reliability is paramount. Sunex optics are designed and engineered with a philosophy that prioritizes durability and optical precision. Their lenses offer high-resolution output, maintain performance across wide temperature ranges, and allow for tight integration with ART’s mechanical and electronic systems.
This synergy of expertise—Sunex in optics and ART in automotive system integration—enables faster development cycles and greater product confidence in the field.
Looking Ahead: 4K and Beyond
ART and Sunex are now co-developing a new 4K telemetry camera for next-generation automotive platforms. This product will push image resolution and sensor integration to new heights, enabling applications ranging from automated parking to ADAS data capture in extreme environments.
What began as a search for a capable optical supplier has evolved into a collaborative innovation model. ART and Sunex continue to redefine what’s possible at the intersection of optics, electronics, and automotive design—one high-performing camera at a time.
About Art SpA
ART was founded in the early 2000s and is based in the evocative Villa del Pischiello in Passignano sul Trasimeno, Italy.
Thanks to its know-how and achievements, ART is now positioned internationally as a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive innovations and high-tech infotainment, dashboard, and entertainment systems for the super sport and luxury markets. In more recent times, ART has leveraged its high-level experience and expertise towards the global automotive market as well as light and heavy commercial vehicles, industrial vehicles, and agricultural machinery.
This fast-growing company now employs about 300 people who work at the headquarters in Passignano sul Trasimeno and the offices in Modena, Turin as well as in Berlin, Germany. It represents a point of excellence of Made in Italy capable of competing with large multinational groups active in the sector.
