AUTONOMY SENSORS
technology is more tolerant to factors that have hindered traditional LiDAR systems such as heat , shock and vibration . The result is a more precise , more affordable LiDAR system featuring long term reliability and exceptional resolution , deployable in more environments , from highways and city streets to mines and ports .” Spectrum-Scan™ LiDAR technology gives Baraja ’ s partners the ability to instantly adjust and adapt scanning resolution to the changing environment , similar to how humans can control their visual focus . This leads to better safety by improving obstacle detection for self-driving vehicles in a range of settings . “ Legacy LiDAR systems have been hampered by poor performance with limits on range , resolution and reliability ,” said Federico Collarte , CEO and Co- Founder of Baraja . “ Our Spectrum-Scan™ LiDAR has proven reliability in the field , which has been recognised by partners such as Hitachi – one of the world ’ s most innovative machine manufacturers . This latest capital and the partnership with Hitachi will also help us to advance our mission to help make self-driving vehicles an everyday reality .”
Baraja ’ s Spectrum-Scan technology was invented by Federico Collarte and Co-Founder Cibby Pulikkaseril , telecommunications industry veterans who used their photonics and fibre optic expertise to create a LiDAR system that uses the same principles in an autonomous vehicle setting . Returning investor Blackbird Ventures has doubled down on its previous investment , showcasing its continued support for Baraja ’ s superior technology capabilities and product roadmap .
“ Countless LiDAR makers have made promises and set deadlines they have failed to meet due to one fundamental issue : legacy LiDAR doesn ’ t work the way it needs to ,” said Rick Baker , Blackbird Ventures Co-Founder and board director at Baraja . “ Baraja founders Federico and Cibby have taken a truly different approach with Spectrum-Scan™ that addresses and solves the fundamental challenges others have faced out of the lab and provides a clear roadmap to automotive-grade LiDAR in the coming years .”
Hideshi Fukumoto , Vice President , Executive Officer , and CTO , Hitachi Construction Machinery ; President of Research & Development Group ; and President of Client Solutions Group , said : “ Spectrum-Scan™ LiDAR is a must – have technology providing better autonomous sensing solutions for mining customers who demand increasingly higher safety and production efficiency . We are delighted to be working with Baraja , a company with leading-edge technology in this field . More than just an investment relationship , we expect that this relationship will lead to technological improvements and accelerated commercialisation for both parties in areas such as terrain measurement and obstacle detection . Through this investment , Hitachi Construction Machinery will accelerate the improvement of autonomous haulage systems ( AHS ) and the practical application of remote and autonomous operation of ultra-large hydraulic excavators , as well as expand its application to the civil engineering and construction fields . We will also strengthen our open innovation initiatives in the digital field , such as this one .”
SICK and Ibeo developing solid-state industrial 3D LiDAR
A technology partnership between Hamburgbased automotive LiDAR specialist Ibeo Automotive Systems GmbH and SICK AG they say will result in “ a 3D solid-state LiDAR sensor for industrial applications . The technology , developed by Ibeo to automotive standards , is based on a new photon laser measurement technology and is entirely free of moving parts . An additional , camera-like reference image adds a ‘ fourth dimension ’ to the measurement provided by the sensor .”
“ The market for autonomous and semiautonomous systems in an industrial context is predicted to grow at above-average rates . There is particular demand for durable , small , and cost-efficient sensor solutions . The new solidstate technology from Ibeo works entirely