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The landscape of lidar technology is evolving, and Voyant Photonics has recently made waves with the launch of its innovative Carbon FMCW lidar sensor. This new sensor promises to deliver effective lidar capabilities on a chip while incorporating solid-state beam steering at a competitive price point. Aimed primarily at enhancing machine perception capabilities across various sectors, including industrial applications, robotics, and security, the Carbon sensor serves as a potential game-changer in the field.
Constructed using advanced silicon photonic technology, the Carbon sensor is remarkably compact, comparable in size to a fingernail. Despite its small footprint, it boasts high-resolution output and millimeter-level precision for object detection, offering static and dynamic segmentation capabilities up to a distance of 200 meters (approximately 656 feet). By integrating optics directly onto a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), Voyant enhances performance while significantly reducing costs.
Voyant’s vision extends beyond ordinary lidar systems with its development of lidar-on-a-chip solutions for 3D sensing. The company emphasizes that this technology delivers competitive performance while being lightweight and power-efficient. Established in 2018 by experts from Cornell and Columbia universities, Voyant has successfully secured over $20 million in funding, fueling its ambitious projects and innovations.
FMCW Technology: A Cost-Effective Alternative to ToF Lidar
The Carbon sensor employs frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology, distinguishing itself from traditional time-of-flight (ToF) lidar systems. This innovative approach allows the sensor to measure not just distance but also velocity in real-time, providing additional data dimensions such as reflectivity and intensity.
According to Voyant, the FMCW capabilities effectively establish what they describe as “4D” sensing, which enables the generation of accurate point-cloud data at a rate of up to 20 times per second. This real-time processing enhances applications like vehicle navigation, particularly in environments where GPS data is unreliable. The benefits extend to providing alternatives to high-end inertial measurement units (IMUs), making the technology potentially transformative for various mobility solutions.
The adoption of FMCW sensors is steadily increasing within the robotics sector. Recently, SiLC Technologies Inc. announced that Honda Xcelerator Ventures has invested in its development of next-generation FMCW lidar systems, highlighting the growing recognition of these sensors’ capabilities in enhancing machine vision algorithms.
Key Features of the Carbon FMCW Lidar Sensor
Voyant touts the Carbon sensor’s superior performance compared to leading ToF lidar systems, particularly in adverse weather conditions such as dust, fog, rain, and snow. Additionally, the sensor has been designed to function reliably in bright sunlight, which is often a significant challenge for traditional lidar sensors.
One of the standout features of the Carbon technology is its resilience against highly reflective surfaces, which can cause distortion or “blooming” in existing ToF lidar systems. This characteristic allows for consistent performance around roadside objects like signs and traffic cones, enhancing its utility in urban environments.
Weighing a mere 250 grams (8.8 ounces), the Carbon sensor is robust, offering IP67-rated protection against dust and water, as well as resilience to shock and vibration. Furthermore, the low power consumption of FMCW laser technology ensures that the device is safe for eyes, an important consideration in both consumer and industrial applications.
With a native resolution providing 128 lines per frame, the sensor achieves a clarity comparable to a standard camera. Coupled with its capability to measure velocity in real-time, the Carbon lidar facilitates accurate detection and tracking of moving objects at distances of up to 200 meters.
The sensor offers a horizontal field of view of 90° and a vertical field of view of 45°, along with a maximum detectable radial velocity of 63 m/s (or 140 mph). Notably, the Carbon sensor’s software-defined lidar (SDL) feature allows users to customize frame rates and adjust the field of view dynamically, enabling targeted detection and classification of specific objects as necessary.
Currently, the Carbon lidar sensor is available for purchase at a price of $1,490 for individual units, with options for bulk pricing and a two-year warranty available for customers. Voyant Photonics is set to showcase its latest innovation next week at CES 2025, with live demonstrations planned at Booth 3175 within the Vehicle Tech and Advanced Mobility section of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Source
www.therobotreport.com