In addition to support autonomous driving technology, LiDAR is also adopted for scientists to reach deeper into the underwater world. A research published in Applied Optics presented an approach to detect algae and measure key properties using LiDAR, which reached deeper than has been typically possible using satellites. (Image: Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences) "The LiDAR approach has the potential to fill some important gaps in our ability to measure ocean biology from space," said Collister, a PhD student at Old Dominion University. "T...

German LiDAR sensor company Ibeo Automotive Systems announced that it will begin delivery of its new ibeoNEXT LiDAR sensor starting in October 2020. The sensor is based on a completely new type of photon laser measurement technology and works completely without moving parts (real solid-state). One of the key component of the product is VCSEL provided by AMS. (Image: Ibeo) Developed in-house by Ibeo and manufactured in accordance with automotive series production standards, the new LiDAR sensor is suitable for driver assistance systems as well as for a...

Luminar announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Gores Metropoulos and once the transaction finished, the combined company will be listed on Nasdaq under “LAZR.” Luminar is set to power the introduction of highway self-driving and next-generation safety systems and is partnered with 7 of the top 10 global automakers including Volvo and Audi. Starting in 2022, Luminar’s hardware and software will be integrated into Volvo’s global vehicle platform, the foundation for their next generation of consumer vehicles. (Image:...

A new research by Stanford scientist demonstrate a new approach to slow down light so that photons have more chances to interact with other materials, opening a door for new applications such as LiDAR, LiFi and AR/VR. The research paper was published in Nature Nanotechnology on August 17, 2020. To slow down light, the Stanford researchers structured ultrathin silicon chips into nanoscale bars to resonantly trap light and then release or redirect it later. The approach is like creating an echo chamber to hold onto sound and direct it. These "high-quality-factor&quo...

Velodyne Lidar announced a partnership with University of Nevada, Reno to advance research in transportation infrastructure. The university’s Nevada Center for Applied Research purchased and, in conjunction with the Nevada DOT and Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development, is using Velodyne’s LiDAR sensors in its Intelligent Mobility initiative to collect data aimed at making transportation more efficient, sustainable and safe. (Image: Velodyne Lidar) The program has integrated Velodyne Ultra Puck LiDAR sensors with traffic ...

LiDAR is considered to be the key technology for self-propelled vehicles. Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LIDAR - a cumbersome abbreviation for a disruptive technology - will facilitate the breakthrough in autonomous driving and, according to experts, will completely force the currently used Time of Light (TOF) LIDAR systems out of the market. Scantinel Photonics, a venture company supported by ZEISS Ventures, is a FMCW LiDAR expert in Europe. FMCW RADAR is already being offered as a standard driver assistance system in the a...

AMS and Ibeo Automotive Systems confirm that ams VCSEL technology is a core component of Ibeo’s new solid-state LiDAR solution, ibeoNEXT. Ibeo’s LiDAR system will be used in Level-3 automated driving on production vehicles at Great Wall Motor Company starting in 2022. The VCSEL manufacturing technology of ams allows for flexibility in layout design regarding number of pixels, their size and pitch, and specific addressability patterns. The VCSELs can differentiate in scan and flash applications as they are less sensitive to individual e...

Quanergy Systems revealed its new product M1, a 2D industrial LiDAR sensor for mid- to long-range, high precision measurement applications. The M1 joins the company’s M-Series to expand its industrial product portfolio by offering twice the price-performance vs legacy industrial LiDAR sensors. With up to double the range and range accuracy and 75% more data, M1 provides accuracy and object-detection at longer range compared to the legacy LiDAR sensors in the market today. (Image: Quanergy) The M1 2D LiDAR sensor is designed specifically to increase ...

Lucid Motors announced its DreamDrive, an ADAS system combining sensing solutions including LiDARS which will be equipped with Lucid Air revealing on September 9, 2020. Lucid Air that will be delivered in early 2021 is expected to be the first to market with the combination of a driver monitoring system and a sensor suite that includes high-resolution LIDAR as standard equipment. The DreamDrive technology suite supports 19 key safety, driving, and parking assist features that will be available on Lucid Air upon start of production, with another eight features e...

LeddarTech announced that its LiDAR product Leddar Pixell is now adopted by COAST Autonomous in an autonomous delivery vehicle (ADV) at the Kinney County Railport (KCRP) near Brackettville, Texas. KCRP is one of several railyards operated by Harbor Rail Services Company of California. COAST Autonomous selected LeddarTech’s Leddar Pixell Cocoon LiDAR with its 360-degree vehicle coverage as a supplier for this project. The COAST Autonomous electric ADVs operate CO2 emission-free and enable Harbor Rail to operate and mov...

The Franco-German satellite MERLIN is due to be launched into space in 2025 to measure the methane concentration in the Earth's atmosphere - a milestone in climate research. Important components of the LiDAR measurement system come from the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut in Berlin, which has now delivered the required laser diode benches to the project partner. The MERLIN mission aims to better understand the effect of the greenhouse gas methane on global warming. A radar-like laser system on the satellite measures natural and anthropogenic methane emissions: The...

Velodyne Lidar announced a three year sales agreement with PARIFEX, a traffic management and speed measurement systems provider. Based on the agreement, PARIFEX will use Velodyne’s LiDAR sensors in its traffic monitoring solutions which can help reduce road accident rates and enhance roadway safety. (Image: Velodyne Lidar/PARIFEX) PARIFEX equips its NANO-CAM and NOMAD solutions with Velodyne Puck sensors for real-time tracking of static and moving objects including vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists, while preserving anonymit...

LiDAR sensor and technology builders Cepton and Luminar recently announced their expansion plans respectively, aiming to scale the market as well as to speed up technology development. Cepton Technologies, who began partnership with Japan-based Koito, appointed industry veteran Andrew Klaus as country manager for Japan, marking its continued expansion into the Japanese and Asian markets. Klaus’ role will initially focus on building Cepton’s market share in Japan, where the company has experienced growing demand for its high-performance LiDAR solution...

Two recent researches of LiDAR introduced new solutions to improve the sensing technology. The study by University of Colorado Boulder described a new silicon ship without moving parts or electronics that enhances resolution and scanning speed for LiDAR sensor. In addition, researchers from Purdue University and École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) unveiled their development with FMCW LiDAR. For the research of Univerity of Colorado Boulder aims to develop small chip to replace existing big LiDAR system. The research t...

U.S.-based LiDAR maker, Velodyne Lidar, announced that it has entered a long-term global licensing agreement with Hesai Photonics Technology encompassing 360° surround-view LiDAR sensors. Based on the agreement, Velodyne and Hesai have agreed to dismiss current legal proceedings in the U.S., Germany and China that exist between the two companies. The license agreement covers both existing and future patents of both company. David Hall, Velodyne Founder and Chairman of the Board, commented, “We think this agreement will expand the adoption of LiD...

LiDAR sensor developer Quanergy Systems shared that its new generation QORTEX People Counter solution can deliver over 98% accuracy from pitch dark or indoor to very bright lighting conditions in full sun light. By combining the system with Quanergy’s LiDAR product, a wide range of flow management can be deployed to enhance security and safety in public areas especially at the critical time of reopen. According Quanergy, QORTEX People Counter provides information about the flow and number of people in retail stores, public transportation centers, stadiu...

Self-driving technology startup Aurora announced its self-developed LiDAR sensor FirstLight LiDAR last week. The LiDAR sensor was tested on Aurora’s test vehicles to help the perception system to see and track objects farther, faster, and with greater precision. (Image: Aurora) Aurora acquired LiDAR company Blackmore last year eyeing the expertise of FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) technology. FMCW LiDAR delivers a constant stream of light and changes the frequency of that light at regular intervals. With the technology, Auro...

LeddarTech announced the acquisition of sensor fusion and perception software company VayaVision. Through integration of VayaVision technologies, LeddarTech aims to accelerate time-to-market and reduce customer development costs and risks with a sensor fusion and perception stack that scales from a single sensor to multiple sensor combinations. The Israel-based company, VayaVision, was founded in 2016 by Dr. Nehmadi Youval and Ronny Cohen with expertise in sensor fusion and perception, providing autonomy solutions in the automotive industry addressing use cases from L...

LeddarTech, as a leader in LiDAR technology, has developed the most versatile, scalable, auto and mobility LiDAR platform based on the unique LeddarEngine™. In addition to the platform solution, LeddarTech supports the automotive, mobility, and industrial robot markets with innovative 2D and 3D solid-state LiDAR modules. LEDinside was honored to have a phone call interview with Michael Poulin, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Development of LeddarTech, to share the company’s LiDAR business strategies, collaboration, and ma...

Velodyne Lidar announced two new business partners and is going to leverage its LiDAR sensing technologies for people flow monitoring and automation at one of the busiest seaport. Velodyne signed a multi-year partnership agreement with Outsight, who offers solutions of Smart Cities monitoring. Outsight uses Velodyne Lidar sensing technology in its 3D Semantic Camera system that helps businesses and governments improve the analysis and management of people flow and assets in large crowded environments. LiDAR sensors enable 3D capture and tracking of people and object...

Otsaw, the robot manufacturer from Singapore announced that it has launched the world first UVC LED based autonomous robot for disinfection. The robot, named “O-RX,” is created in only eight weeks from conceptualization, design, materials procurement, prototype testing to certification. The UVC LED embedded disinfecting robot also passed safety testing and has been certified by TUV SUD. (Image: Otsaw) Unlike other current UV disinfecting robot using mercury UV lamps, the O-RX utilizes the UVC LED technology that emits only UVC ...

Velodyne Lidar announced a three-year sales agreement with a Danish intelligent farming solution developer AGROINTELLI. Velodyne’s LiDAR sensors will be adopted in the Robotti autonomous tool carriers that increase efficiency on fields and help professional farmers save time and money. Robotti uses Velodyne’s Puck™ sensors for safe and efficient navigation on farmland. It supports a wide range of equipment such as precision seeder, mechanical inter-row weeder and seed drill. Robotti performs highly accurate, site-specific agricultural operations ...

AEye announced its success of achieving a new standard for MEMS sensor reliability with the new 4Sight product based on its iDAR platform. The product surpassed automotive qualification for both shock and vibe in testing. (Image: AEye) AEye addressed the current issue in the LiDAR industry, which is how to attain solid-state performance, especially for high resolution at long range. Luis Dussan, co-founder and CEO of AEye noted that MEMS-based could be a potential solution for tackling the difficulties but the inability of FMCW or other TOF systems...

Research team consisting of electrical and computer engineers at the University of Virginia and University of Texas-Austin has developed an avalanche photodiode that achieved record performance that could transform receiver components for LiDAR. The breakthrough was published in Nature Photonics on May 18, 2020, under the title “Low-noise high-temperature AlInAsSb/GaSb avalanche photodiodes for 2-μm applications.” Researchers said the low-noise, 2-μm avalanche photodiode can achieve eye-safe high-power operation. The team used the novel optical ...

Apart from assisting autonomous driving technology, LiDAR technology is also helping archaeologists to unveil the long covered structures from ancient times with its penetration feature. A research team recently discovered the largest and oldest Mayan monument via LiDAR technology and published their findings in Nature. The team use LiDAR from an airplane to find the monument under the authorization of the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico. Laser beams penetrate the tree canopy and reveal the three-dimensional forms of archaeological features ...

Velodyne Lidar and Idriverplus announced an expanded partnership and Idriverplus inclusion into the Automated with Velodyne integrator ecosystem, which helps companies grow their businesses while using Velodyne’s LiDAR technology. Through the program, Velodyne will further collaborate with Idriverplus to support its continued innovation and promote Idriverplus autonomous vehicles, including street cleaners, passenger cars and logistics vehicles. Recently, Velodyne signed a multi-year sales agreement with Idriverplus to provide Puck™ sensors for the mass prod...

LeddarTech announced that it is working with STMicroelectronics to create a LiDAR Evaluation Kit. The evaluation kit will demonstrate technical concepts and offer development capabilities in a functional LiDAR for automotive Tier 1-2 suppliers and industrial system integrators to develop a LiDAR solution based on LeddarEngine™ technology. LeddarTech’s kit will include ST’s MEMS mirror-based laser-beam scanning solutions along with technologies, products, and services from other LeddarTech ecosystem partners. The evaluation kit is being...

As many countries and cities are lifting the COVID-19 restrictions and reopening business, how to continuously prevent the spread of the virus is a critical challenge for all. LEDinside noticed that many sensor technology developers have created solutions to anonymously monitoring people’s activities in public for controlling social distance and checking health status. LiDAR technology, for example, is now used to support people flow management. Hitachi Vantara, the digital infrastructure and solutions subsidiary of Hitachi, is leveraging its technology to deliver a ...

Rumors of Apple’s smart glasses products have never stopped but now they are even more materialized. Jon Prosser, host of Front Page Tech, unveiled alleged details about the AR glasses that Apple might reveal. It was said that Apple will call its AR glasses “Apple Glass,” which will pair with an iPhone like Apple Watch. There will be displays for both lenses and LiDAR sensors will be adopted to enable gesture interaction. In addition, the glasses will be wireless charged. (Image: screenshot from the video of Front Page Tech) Prosser cl...

Korea’s LiDAR sensor startup company, SOS LAB, announced that it has secured series A+ investment of a total of US$8 million starting from a lead investment from Korea Development Bank (KDB), bringing the company’s total capital raised so far to US$ 14 million. Despite a decline in general economic activities due to COVID-19, SOS LAB successfully attracted the investment and it has now unveiled its plans for the commercialization of LiDAR. (Image: SOS LAB) SOS LAB disclosed ML-1, the product which mounted the aforemention...