A target detection system using an EHF radar and the image processing is
disclosed, in which the processing time is shortened by mutually
complementing the disadvantages of the EHF radar and the image processing
thereby to improve the reliability. The system comprises a radar, an
image acquisition unit and an image processing ECU. The microcomputer of
the ECU specifies an image recognition area based on the power output
from the radar, and carries out the image processing only within the
specified recognition area for the image obtained from the image
acquisition unit. By performing the image processing only for the area
where a target is detected by the radar, the time required for image
processing is shortened on the one hand and the erroneous detection of
letters on the road surface or the like is eliminated.