The top dog in the lidar sensor area, Velodyne, is available on the Nvidia Drive platform. The manufacturer Lumotive has developed a new Lidarsensor-type, which is inexpensive and small.
The market for lidar sensors is contested, not least has Google’s sister Waymo started their eyelid sensors too marketto cover the costs of developing autonomous driving. In this segment, the sensor is almost indispensable.
On the past CES in Las Vegas Nvidia his platform Drive presented on the now also the Lidarsensoren of Velodyne can be used.
Velodyne lidar sensors
Among the available sensors is the surround view lidar system, which is used for environmental perception. This allows manufacturers to test their systems using Velodyne sensors.
The surround view lidar system includes an all-round view in real time. This allows positioning and routing by automated vehicles.
Meanwhile, the manufacturer Lumotive has developed a new form of lidar processing: with liquid crystal metasurfaces (LCM). These are chips that embrace the diffraction of light. This Lidarsensor also dispenses with moving parts, using a technology that is already used in radar systems. It combines LCM with a silicon structure and the specially developed light guide technology.
The technique reduces the cost of the important lidar sensor and can increase the range. From autumn, the first production will be available. The optical unit is 2.5 centimeters square and reaches a field of view of 120 degrees.
The sensor is characterized by its compactness and can therefore be used in smaller products. Lumotive has convinced Microsoft founder Bill Gates as an investor in his product.
source to Velodyne and source to Lumotive
About David Flora
I’ve been writing about Autonomous & Connected Driving since 2011 and also talk about it on other sites like the Smart Mobility Hub. I studied social sciences at the HU Berlin and since 2012 I am a freelance journalist. Contact: mail@autonomes-fahren.de