HYDROPHILIC MATERIAL AND COATING FOR AUTOMOTIVE LIDAR SENSOR COVERS

A weather resistant autonomous driving sensor unit for an autonomous vehicle driving system. The sensor unit further includes a cover having an inside surface facing the one or more light detection and ranging sensors, and an external surface facing an external environment of a vehicle. The cover is formed of molded polycarbonate and also forms a vehicle component selected from the group consisting of a vehicle grille, bumper and front end module. A hydrophilic coating applied to the external surface of the coating. The hydrophilic coating can be made of several different compounds that are applied to the external surface using spraying, dipping or vapor deposition. The hydrophilic coating selected must provide a droplet thickness to diameter ratio of less than 0.3 when the water contact angle on the external surface of the cover is less than 40 degrees or between about 25 degrees to about 40 degrees.