Together, the companies will collaborate on enhanced high-resolution radar systems for automotive applications by leveraging Distributed Aperture Radar (DAR), a technology developed by Zendar that enables a simplified system solution approach. Through DAR, the resolution of high-performance radar systems can be enhanced while eliminating the need for thousands of antenna channels. It collects and combines information from multiple radar sensors on a vehicle to create a larger effective antenna that achieves heightened sensing resolution. DAR also enables high-angular resolution below 0.5 degrees, providing capabilities similar to a LiDAR that support precise mapping of the environment, and offers further potential to enhance resolution through flexible mounting techniques.

The jointly-developed radar solutions will be based on NXP’s S32R radar processor platform and RFCMOS SAF8x one-chip SoCs – both of which are tailored to cover a variety of vehicle architectures and help accelerate the transition toward distributed architectures. The companies expect that OEMs and suppliers will equally benefit from high resolution systems developed with simplified standard radars, with reduced thermal complexity, and a smaller radar footprint for flexible and more convenient mounting.

Some of its key capabilities stem from its integration of Ambarella’s Oculii radar technology, such as its AI software algorithms (which dynamically adapt radar waveforms to the surrounding environment). These allow for a high angular resolution of 0.5 degrees, a dense point cloud scaling up to thousands of points per frame, and a detection range exceeding 500 meters. These functions are mutually achieved with an order of magnitude fewer antenna MIMO channels, reducing the data bandwidth and power consumption over similar 4D imaging radars. The radar’s support for Oculii is targeted at system integrators looking to future-proof new radar designs with a flexible, high-performance perception architecture.

In developing the new architecture, Ambarella optimized Oculii’s algorithms for its CV3 AI domain controller SoC family – adding specific radar signal processing acceleration. The CV3’s AI performance per watt offers the compute and memory capacity needed to achieve high radar density, range, and sensitivity. The company has said that a single CV3 alone can efficiently provide high-performance, real-time processing for perception and low-level sensor fusion, as well as path planning within autonomous vehicles and robots centrally and simultaneously. The new architecture works in a similar way to maximize efficiency – helping reduce operational costs by consuming less power at the maximum duty cycle. Here, it reduces the bandwidth for data transport by 6x, while eliminating the need for pre-filtered, edge processing and its resulting loss in sensor information.

By applying AI software to dynamically adapt the radar waveforms generated with existing monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) devices, and using AI sparsification to create virtual antennas, Oculii reduces the antenna array for each processor-less MMIC radar head to 6 transmit x 8 receive. Overall, the number of MMICs is drastically reduced, while achieving 0.5 degrees of joint azimuth and elevation angular resolution.

This cost-effective, software-defined centralized architecture also supports the dynamic allocation of the CV3’s processing resources (based on real-time weather conditions between sensor types and among sensors of the same type). In extreme rainy conditions that diminish long-range camera data, for example, the CV3 can shift some of its resources to enhance radar inputs. Likewise, if it is raining while driving on a highway, the CV3 can focus on data coming from the vehicle’s front-facing radar sensors to further its detection range while providing faster reaction times.

Within CV3 is Ambarella’s new, next-generation, CVflow architecture. Provided with a neural vector processor and a general vector processor designed to include radar-specific signal processing enhancements. These processors work together to run Oculii’s advanced radar perception software while enhancing its performance – with Ambarella claiming it can achieve speeds up to 100x faster than traditional edge radar processors.

Additional benefits of the new centralized architecture include easier OTA software updates, for continuous improvement and future proofing. A single OTA update can be pushed out for the CV3 SoC and aggregated across the system’s full suite of radar heads. These radar heads eliminate the need for a processor, reducing the upfront cost and any subsequent maintenance costs in the event the system is damaged in a crash.

Target applications for the new centralized radar architecture include ADAS and L2+ to L5 autonomous vehicles, as well as autonomous mobile robots and automated guided vehicle robots. These designs are streamlined by Ambarella’s unified and flexible software development environment, which provides automotive and robotics designers with a software-upgradable platform for scaling performance from ADAS and L2+ to L5. Ambarella confirmed that its new centralized architecture will be demonstrated at its invite-only event during CES 2023, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 5 to January 8.

The module leverages radio waves to detect presence or movement, and can be used to prevent vehicle theft or ensure children are not left alone in the vehicle. It consists of various components, mounting a radar chip, antenna, and communication chip on a printed circuit board, and is mainly installed on the car roof or near the rear mirror.

The company’s in-cabin radar modules are estimated to provide a 40% increase in resolution against existing products on the market. Likewise, its signal processing time has been reduced by around 30% to enable the faster detection of objects. These performance enhancements stem from LG Innotek’s integration of a proprietary antenna design and weak signal detection algorithm into the module.

It also used digital transformation technology to optimize the antenna layout, achieving enhanced antenna performance with the same number of antennas. The company further minimized signal detection errors and developed its own software that increased sensitivity to weak signals – improving the product’s precision capabilities. By minimally changing the antenna design, the in-cabin radar module can be installed anywhere inside the car, including a location chosen by the customer.

LG Innotek’s in-cabin radar module can detect the location and number of passengers in the car as well as their vital signs and movements. In providing customers with further security, the module can detect the breathing of an infant. In the event of a child being left alone in the vehicle, the driver is notified immediately.

The module can also be used to customize airbag settings for different vehicle occupants. Here, it identifies the passenger’s position and body size – adjusting the pressure to suit an adult or child. If anyone is left in the car, or if the module detects suspicious movements inside or around it, it is capable of notifying the owner through a smartphone alarm or alert.

The product also provides necessary functions for fully autonomous driving. Here, it can start a car only when all passengers have fastened their seat belts and vibrate the seat to wake up a passenger upon falling asleep at their destination. LG Innotek plans to add more functions to the product in the future that will allow users to control some vehicle functionality, including the in-cabin temperature and music volume, through gesture commands.

The company is looking to commercialize the product by 2024, having carried out product promotions targeting global OEMs and part suppliers in South Korea, the USA, Europe, and Japan.

The new round saw investment from new partners, GLy Capital Management and Atreides Management LP, as well as existing investors – including KDT, Battery Ventures, Bessemer Ventures, More VC, Regal Four, and Claltech. To support investor outreach in China, the company has engaged China International Capital Corporation Limited (CICC) as its lead financial adviser.

While its products operate across several industries, Vayyar offers a suite of products for automotive. Among these are its leading-edge system-on-chip, proprietary software stack, and machine-learning algorithms. At the core of its automotive offering, however, are 4D imaging radar-based platforms.

These aim to enhance safety across multiple domains, with use cases working inside the cabin and for a vehicle’s ADAS. Within ADAS, it has also secured supply contracts with Japanese and Vietnamese OEMs, and is in advanced engagements with more OEMs in different regions around the world – for both in-cabin and ADAS.

After opening new offices in five additional locations, including Japan and China, Vayyar aims to further expand its activities across numerous verticals. In the future, it hopes to introduce a family of machine learning-enabled imaging solutions integrated with leading smart building, robotics, retail and public safety solutions. At the same time, it is looking to increase its physical presence across the Americas, EMEA, and East Asia.

The new, highly automated plant in Jiaxing has an area of around 20,000 square meters and an annual production volume of initially around three million components; in further expansion stages, capacity is to be doubled to up to five million parts. The total investment in the new site, which also has a research and development center, is in the low to mid double-digit million euro range.

HELLA MINTH Jiaxing was established in January 2021 and combines HELLA’s lighting and electronics expertise with MINTH’s know-how in the field of exteriors. Both partners hold equal shares in the joint venture; it already has another production facility, also located in Jiaxing. A total of around 230 employees currently work for the joint venture; this number is expected to rise to over 300 by the end of the year. In addition to radomes, the joint venture also manufactures illuminated logos and covers for lidar sensors.

The proprietary radar algorithm library allows for the quick integration of proven algorithms into radar sensor applications, helping reduce development times as well as R&D investment. The SDK’s initial release will include three algorithm packages with solutions for interference mitigation, MIMO waveform optimization, and angular resolution enhancement.

NXP has said that its PRSDK will evolve over time, bringing new algorithms through regular releases to accommodate both its emerging radar requirements and its future radar roadmap. It also confirmed that the SDK will be customizable, allowing users to adjust and differentiate it to their individual needs.

The firm will offer OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers two evaluation options under an evaluation license agreement. The MATLAB-based version delivers the algorithms as compiled code, allowing developers to understand what the SDK does by feeding customer test vectors, computing and visualizing the output vectors. Providing bit accuracy, the MCU-based evaluation option includes the algorithm binary files to run on NXP’s target radar processor evaluation board and demonstrates the kit’s real-time performance capabilities.

At the heart of SPEKTRA radar is Metawave’s MARCONI beamformer chip for multi-channel operation at 77 GHz, which, when used with Metawave’s proprietary calibration system, enables steering of transmit and receive beams in precise steps and over a targeted field-of-view range. The MARCONI antenna in package’s (AiP’s) ability to steer a focused, high-gain beam while running advanced Virtual MIMO Array algorithms gives SPEKTRA radar-based platforms an edge over conventional, purely digital radars. Also referred to as “radar on a chip,” conventional radars use wider, lower gain beams and fundamentally cannot achieve the same effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) and range performance as SPEKTRA. The AiP module follows a recent trend in commercial mmWave products, especially in the wireless cellular market, to assemble and package the Marconi chips with the AiP– therefore, creating a higher level of integration and increasing performance due to fully calibrated modular building blocks that can be configured with the antenna array(s) for driving virtual MIMO array algorithms. These building blocks can be used in various geometries and topologies to develop application-specific radar modules for multi-functional uses.

The high-performance radar front end that enables SPEKTRA radar is an innovation within the TI mmWave sensor portfolio.

In early 2021, Metawave also demonstrated its the proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) AWARE platform that enables SPEKTRA radars to perform real-time object classification and labeling for more efficient and faster Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) processing with over 94% labeling accuracy. Because of its machine-learning sensor fusion, the AWARE platform enables SPEKTRA radar to deliver accuracy in storms, darkness, and dense fog, even as vehicles travel at highway speeds. SPEKTRA radar’s ability to detect and classify objects beyond 300 meters is due to its unique ability to focus its beams along a specific field of view (FoV) direction to reach faster frame rates when combined with virtual MIMO array techniques in the back-end. Traditional radars use four or more transceiver chips for digital beamforming or they ‘flash’ a wide FoV, limiting range and preventing the radar’s ability to accurately distinguish between objects that are close in proximity. Metawave’s SPEKTRA radar and AWARE platform videos can be viewed on the company’s YouTube channel

Gapwaves is one of the global market players for waveguide-based antennas. HELLA will implement this technology in the next generation of corner radar sensors based on 77 GHz, thus further increasing the performance of its own sensors. Start of series production for a German manufacturer of premium vehicles is planned for 2024.

Gapwaves originates from research conducted at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg and was founded in 2011. The company still has its headquarter there. Gapwaves has been listed at Nasdaq First North Growth Market Stockholm since 2016. The company currently employs around 30 people and generates annual sales in the single-digit million euro range.

Designed for ADAS, ARAS and autonomy, Vayyar’s XRR chip is the only single-chip 4D imaging radar with a 0-300m range, providing a high-resolution point cloud and ultra-wide FoV, enabling exceptional cost savings.

Vayyar’s XRR chip – AEC-Q100 qualified and ASIL-B compliant – is unmatched in terms of range, resolution, and performance. With an ultra-wide field of view and rich 4D point cloud imaging, it delivers unprecedented multifunctionality on a single-chip platform, supporting dozens of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS) and autonomy features. This eliminates the need for multiple, costly vehicle sensors and reduces costs, complexity, hardware, software, power consumption, wiring and integration efforts.

Affording a range of 0-300m, the multi-range XRR chip differentiates between static obstacles such as dividers, curbs and parked vehicles, and between different types of VRUs, moving vehicles and other hazards. In low-speed environments such as parking lots, the XRR chip’s uSRR and SRR sensing supports advanced parking assistance, scanning the vehicle’s surroundings for pedestrians and obstacles. On the open road, MRR and LRR capabilities facilitate a variety of ADAS and autonomy applications such as Lane Change Assist (LCA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Collision Warnings (fCW/rCW), Cross Traffic Alerting (CTA) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).

The technology was first brought into series production in the truck sector last spring. On the basis of numerous successfully acquired major orders both for passenger cars, including one from a German premium customer, and for trucks, further production starts will follow in the near future. HELLA is also already developing the second 77GHz radar generation, which will go into series production for another German premium manufacturer in 2024.

On the way from assisted to autonomous driving, radar sensors have established themselves as one of the core technologies for seamless environment perception. They continuously record the environment, recognize pedestrians and other traffic participants and objects around the vehicle – and deliver reliable results regardless of weather and lighting conditions. Especially with regard to functions such as autonomous parking or automated lane changes, 77GHz technology is becoming increasingly important, as it offers a significantly larger signal bandwidth and thus improved environmental resolution compared to 24GHz. This makes it easier to detect and classify objects on the road.

The centrepiece of the 77GHz radar sensors from HELLA is the radar system chip, which is based on RF-CMOS technology. Thanks to the special architecture, digital components as well as systems for self-diagnosis can be integrated on the chip in addition to the components for transmitting and receiving. HELLA radar sensors are also based on a modular, scalable platform concept. They thus support different vehicle architectures and interfaces such as Ethernet. Customer-specific requirements as well as current and future NCAP requirements can thus be implemented flexibly and efficiently.

HELLA is continuously working on further increasing the performance of the 77GHz radar sensors. The second generation 77GHz is characterized in particular by the latest antenna and chip technologies. This increases the range, extends the field of view and further improves the measuring capability at close range. Objects such as trucks, cars, bicycles and pedestrians can be detected and tracked even more precisely in this way, which ultimately leads to more informed decision-making rules, for example when initiating a lane change or parking. With this, the position and height of even small objects such as kerbs and roadside posts can also be determined more accurately.

The Uhnder digital perception radar solution provides high-precision data to ensure an autonomous truck arrives in the correct position, to within five centimeters, for automated container movement between the ship and storage or departure areas. Uhnder’s digital perception radar technology enables a large number of co-located radars operating within the industrial port to co-exist reliably. This is a challenge that analog radar solutions have not been able to meet.

The Uhnder digital perception radar solution generates a rich 4D point cloud with the ability to detect and track thousands of objects. The Uhnder digital radar high contrast resolution capability enables perception solutions to clearly identify closely spaced objects common in the port setting, for example, a worker next to a container. The sensor solution uses a digital code modulation that results in best-in-class interference immunity performance.

Over the next five years, AutoX is expected to integrate 400,000 Arbe-based ultra-high resolution radar systems in their Level 4 fleet. Multiple radar units will be included as an integral component of the sensor suite for safety application development, AI-based perception algorithms, and sensor fusion.  

AutoX chose to partner with Arbe because their platform enables advanced safety and sensor performance at an attractive price point. As part of the agreement, Arbe will provide AutoX with the entire Arbe Imaging Radar platform, which enables an image 100 times more detailed than any radar on the market, via a proprietary technology with 2K resolution, the highest channel count in the industry.

Both radar sensors share a software and hardware platform, reducing both complexity and costs. Testing and development efforts on the customer side are also reduced, while performance sees a significant increase compared to the fifth generation.

As a scalable solution, the radars cover a range of applications: from Euro NCAP requirements in an entry-level variant, to the implementation of ADAS functions (such as automated lane change) in a premium variant. The sensors can also be used to cover the requirements of the General Safety Regulation (GSR). Moreover, the radars also support a range of vehicle architectures and types through their availability as smart radar and can process data independently.

In addition to the development of a long-range radar with a 250-meter range, the designs also focus on 360-degree environment detection. With a range of approximately 200 meters, Continental’s surround radars exceed the range of its previous short-range radars – the primary aim of this increased range is to achieve good results in future NCAP assessments of assistance systems.

Tried-and-tested properties of their current (fifth) generation of radar sensors have also been retained in the sixth generation. These include the modular, and scalable, hardware and software, that allows the sensors to be integrated equally into different E/E architectures with local sensor intelligence. The scope of functions also includes auto-alignment for correcting a suboptimal sensor alignment.

Through a proprietary ultra-wide band radar, WaveSense creates a map of subsurface signatures from which self-driving and other ADAS-enabled vehicles can navigate. Through unique design in hardware, software, and systems, WaveSense’s GPR technology allows vehicles to localize and determine their precise location where current AV technologies, including lidar and camera-based systems, fall flat—especially when lane markings are poor, in adverse weather and terrain conditions, and in areas with poor GPS availability.

WaveSense plans to advance the integration of their centimeter-level precision technology into consumer vehicles in collaboration with some of the world’s largest automakers and suppliers. The company recently demonstrated centimeter level localization accuracy and reliability on roads without lane markings, during a snowstorm, in a parking garage, and on unpaved terrain.

Given the 60% spike in global consumer demand for SUVs over the past five years, Vayyar’s production-ready in-car sensor is designed to cover up to three rows. It can also accommodate the rapidly growing number of cars with sunroofs, thanks to uniform rear ceiling installation. Monitoring every seat and footwell, plus the trunk area, the sensor represents a breakthrough safety solution, protecting the most vulnerable vehicle occupants.

Up to 200 children die each year from heatstroke after being left unattended in cars. These tragedies can occur in minutes, since on days as cool as 22°C, the inside of a car, especially one equipped with a sunroof, can quickly reach 47°C.

Vayyar’s full-cabin sensor is fully operational in all lighting and weather conditions and maintains privacy at all times, since no cameras are involved. The ultra-wide field of view and high resolution provided by each sensor’s 48 transceivers are unmatched in the industry, enabling the platform to support multiple advanced applications simultaneously, while replacing numerous single-function sensors.

Given SUV cabin size and the fact that parents of young children comprise the majority of SUV owners, three-row coverage is a critical aspect of in-car sensing. Alternative solutions require two to three single-function sensors to cover the entire SUV cabin, driving up the cost associated with providing larger vehicle safety.

Until now, vehicles with sunroofs have also presented unique challenges in terms of in-cabin sensor positioning, with no option to fit sensors in the ceiling centre. Now OEMs can install just one Vayyar sensor in the rear ceiling area, covering the entire interior. 

Vayyar offers OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers a flagship Child Presence Detection (CPD) and enhanced Seat Belt Reminder (SBR) combo, essential for meeting Euro NCAP’s more stringent 2023 and 2025 safety scoring protocols. The platform does so by detecting occupants, classifying children and adults, and detecting posture and position.

The robust, automotive-grade solution also addresses incoming Euro NCAP safety requirements. Vayyar’s AEC-Q100 qualified and ASIL-B compliant platform provides up to 10 in-cabin points for 2023 onwards.

Multifunctionality on a single-chip platform enables automakers to move past the one sensor per function legacy industry approach. Uneconomical and unsustainable, this has traditionally burdened vehicles with more wiring, hardware, software and integration efforts. Instead, one sensor supports many safety applications, significantly reducing complexity and costs.

A data-rich 4D Point Cloud Application Programming Interface (API) provided by Vayyar’s platform enables customers to independently deploy numerous additional safety features over its point cloud layer. These may include Occupant Status (OS), optimised airbag deployment, seat belt pre-tensioning, eCall, gesture recognition, out-of-position detection, intruder detection among others.

Over-the-air (OTA) software updates also allow automakers to add new features long after a vehicle is built, providing added value by reducing development risks and time to market.

Leveraging its AI-powered Virtual Aperture Imaging software platform and existing automotive-grade radar hardware, Oculii redefines radar resolution and sensitivity to deliver unparalleled performance at price points several orders of magnitude more affordable than comparable 3D sensors.

Oculii’s revolutionary approach uses AI software to solve this hardware problem.

Oculii’s AI-powered Virtual Aperture Imaging platform dynamically sends out an adaptive, phase-modulated waveform that changes in real time with the environment and then encodes that data over time, increasing the resolution of any radar hardware up to 100X. This improved resolution and sensitivity unlocks the potential of market proven commercial radars by enabling all weather sub-degree horizontal and elevation spatial resolution up to 350 meters around a full 360° field of view.

EAGLE

EAGLE is the world’s highest-resolution commercial 4D imaging radar, delivering joint 0.5° H x 1° V spatial resolution across a wide 120° H / 30° V instantaneous field of view.

• Long-Range, All-Weather Perception: Generating radar images with tens of thousands of pixels per frame, EAGLE tracks targets at more than 350 meters, allowing autonomous systems to safely operate at high speeds and in all-weather conditions.
  
• Unparalleled Spatial Resolution and Target Sensitivity: EAGLE is capable of precisely tracking low-RCS targets, such as pedestrians and motorcyclists, in high multipath-clutter scenarios, enabling autonomous systems to perform complex operations in crowded urban environments.
  
• 8-Chip Performance on a 2-Chip Platform: EAGLE delivers the spatial resolution of an 8-chip cascaded radar (24T32R) on a cost-effective, low-power 2-chip (6T8R) hardware platform. Using cost- and power-efficient DSPs for processing rather than FPGAs, EAGLE consumes less than 5W of total power and is smaller than an index card, enabling discrete integration options that preserve the aesthetics of the autonomous platform.

FALCON

FALCON is the world’s most compact 4D imaging radar, delivering high-resolution performance in a 5cm x 5cm package that is smaller than a business card.

• High-Resolution, Wide Field of View: FALCON delivers 2° horizontal resolution across a wide 120° field of view and can simultaneously measure elevation of the targets as well. Four FALCON sensors fused together can provide a 360° bubble of safety up to 200 meters in all directions and be effective in all environmental conditions.
  
• Low Cost, Low Power, Low Profile: Built on a single-chip (3T4R), low-power, cost-effective hardware platform, FALCON consumes less than 2.5W of power and is smaller than a business card, enabling it to be leveraged effectively in a corner-radar automotive ADAS application or an autonomous robotic application where energy efficiency is critical.

While EAGLE and FALCON are full-stack sensor solutions, Oculii’s Virtual Aperture Imaging platform is hardware agnostic, highly modular, and available for licensing.

The relevance of the company’s game-changing approach to automotive radar was emphasized last week when RADA Electronic Industries Ltd., (Nasdaq: RADA, TASE: RADA) announced its intent to make a $3M investment in RadSee. RADA is a global defense technology company focused on proprietary radar solutions.

The RadSee platform scales to accommodate different autonomy levels – standard, premium and LiDAR-like – that are easily integrated, enabling widespread adoption across the entire spectrum of current and future automotive requirements. RadSee’s technology is available for immediate integration into current ADAS design cycles as well as emerging autonomous vehicles.

Features and benefits of the RadSee 4D automotive imaging radar include:

• Scalable, portable and flexible for quick time-to-market
• Processor-agnostic, automotive-grade COTS implementations (unlike competing ASIC approaches)
• 400-meter range
• Angular resolution of 0.25°
• Static and dynamic object detection in a 120° field of view
• Complete flexibility to fit into existing Tier 1 and OEM systems
• Dramatically reduced development risks
• Small form-factor architecture for easy and elegant design integration

Though the company is only releasing samples for evaluation, Zadar has already made impressive progress in reducing the cost of advanced radar. Production units are expected in the low hundreds of dollars with continued reductions as volumes increase. This price efficiency is essential to scaling robotic technologies such as autonomous driving into the mainstream.

Zadar has already released their mid-range sensor, zSIGNAL, reaching 250 meter range. The sensor is currently under evaluation by several customers in the autonomous vehicle space. Zadar is looking to further support customers in 2021 through the launch of their long-range sensor, zPRIME. The new platform will be capable of 400 meter range with resolution comparable to LiDAR.

Zadar was founded in 2019 by a pair of autonomous vehicle veterans, Mahmoud Saadat and Mo Emadi, after the two met while working at Lyft Level 5, the ride-share company’s autonomous division. CEO Saadat is a Zoox alum as well as Stanford Engineering PhD. CTO Emadi is a leader in the radar industry and led many top projects at Qualcomm before joining Lyft.

White/IR dual emission sources are critical for automotive lighting, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and autonomous vehicle LiDAR 3D sensing, as well as mobility applications including avionics, drones, railway, and marine.

Additionally, dual emission sources are required for consumer and professional product portable lighting products, night vision illuminators, and rangefinders for recreation and outdoor, search & rescue, and security applications. SLD’s new source delivers high brightness white light with 1 km beam distance, while independently producing IR illumination from the same emission spot to achieve ranging to more than 250 meters with 1% accuracy. Moreover, these sources generate LiDAR video imagery and data when integrated with sensor chips, to enable next generation 3D imaging headlights.

SLD’s new LaserLight Dual White/IR sources deliver high brightness, safe incoherent white light of 500 lumens with near infrared emission up to 1 watt average power and 100 watt peak power that can emit either together simultaneously or independently, depending on the needs of the application.

The initial Metawave study outlined by the contract will identify modifications needed for the company’s existing “SPEKTRA” radar for aerial operations, all of which will be applied to development of next-generation eVTOL air-vehicles. The USAF’s AGILITY PRIME initiative seeks to advance the development of applicable technologies for operational, human-rated eVTOL aircraft by 2023. In addition to traditional aerospace companies, the Air Force is directly engaging with innovative new sector entrants, such as Metawave, that have demonstrated their ability to provide “enabling technologies” that will advance the requirements of AGILITY PRIME.

Metawave’s SPEKTRA is a compact analog antenna system that has provided the automotive industry with high-precision radar capabilities accurate out to 330 meters. The current long-range high-resolution SPEKTRA analog radar design enables critical features for next-generation cars, including adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, and automated emergency braking. Based on the level of precision required to safely deliver these features in all-weather conditions, SPEKTRA is an excellent candidate for a rugged sensor system for future eVTOL aircraft, and will enable precision eVTOL navigation and obstacle avoidance.

As part of this Phase One effort, Metawave, in partnership with the Arizona State University Center for Wireless Information Systems and Computational Architectures, will modify the SPEKTRA radar for longer ranges and navigation in three-dimensional (3D) space.