US Patent 10300852 Water depth estimation apparatus and method

A land-based automotive vehicle comprising an apparatus for estimating the depth of water about the vehicle. The apparatus comprising at least one light source, at least one imaging means such as a camera mounted to the vehicle and a control unit, the apparatus being structured and arranged such that a first light signal is emitted toward a water surface about the vehicle, the at least one camera is configured for imaging the first light signal and the control unit is configured and arranged to compute from the imagery obtained by the at least one camera an estimation of a depth of water about the vehicle.