Solid-state lidar sensor aims to enhance auto safety
The first new sensor to be launched since the company went public in September, the Velarray H800 combines long-range perception and a broad field of view, and is designed for safe navigation and collision avoidance in ADAS and autonomous mobility applications. The device’s compact, embeddable form factor is designed to fit neatly behind the windshield of a truck, bus, or car, or be mounted seamlessly on the vehicle exterior.
“Velodyne’s launch of the Velarray H800 lidar sensor, which is the first in a family of solid state lidars we will be releasing publicly, is important to automakers for three reasons,” says Anand Gopalan, Velodyne Lidar CEO. “First, the Velarray H800 was specifically designed for high volume automotive applications with feedback from leading OEM customers. It uses Velodyne’s global network of high-quality manufacturing partnerships that provide the high quantity automakers need.”
“Second,” says Gopalan, “Velodyne’s proprietary technology and experience, combined with our manufacturing capacity, allow us to offer the sensor at a price that makes economic sense for automakers. Third, the world needs enhanced safety in consumer vehicles and the Velarray product line makes that available to end consumers creating safer roadways and cars for all.”
The Velarray H800, says the company, can help automakers design ADAS solutions that help reduce traffic accidents as well as injuries and deaths of drivers, passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
“We want to help build the public’s trust in automated vehicle systems,” says Marta Hall, Velodyne founder and CMO. “We believe the Velarray H800 is the first of many lidar sensors that will be used in systems for powerful vehicle safety. Velodyne is introducing it as a key sensor for systems designed as building blocks for vehicle safety. Once the public experiences the benefits of reliable automated safety systems, they will welcome more products like this. We can save lives with ADAS.”
The Velarray H800, says the company, boasts outstanding range, field of view, and resolution to support advancements in autonomy and ADAS, from Level 2 to Level 5. This spans the entirety of ADAS features from Lane Keep Assist and Automated Emergency Braking, all the way to the top levels of automated driving. The compact, low-cost sensor can be paired with the company’s Vella software suite, enabling the full spectrum of safety features.
Proprietary testing, says the company, indicated superiority of the Velarray-based solution where a traditional camera and radar system failed. With a field of view of 120 horizontal degrees by 16 vertical degrees, the sensor allows for “outstanding” detection of peripheral, near-field, and overhead objects while addressing corner cases on sloping and curving roads.
The Velarray H800 provides perception data at a range of up to 200 meters, supporting safe stopping distances even at highway speeds. Featuring a configurable frame rate, the device offers the rich point cloud density required for high resolution mapping and object classification tasks.
“During meetings with investors over the past several months,” says Gopalan, “I have received many questions about Velodyne’s solid state roadmap. The fact is that Velodyne has offered solid state lidar sensors for more than two years, but we’ve used the term ‘directional’ sensors to describe Velodyne’s solid state lidar technology. With the introduction of the Velarray H800, we saw the opportunity to demonstrate how Velodyne’s lidar technology prowess spans many form factors and applications.”
“Velodyne wants to improve roadway safety by making all vehicles smarter,” he says. “That’s why we are working so hard to provide ADAS technology that can be implemented in the marketplace now. You will soon see more of our sensors and software product releases, offering building blocks of vehicle safety for the public.”
The Velarray H800 will be available at high-volume production levels with a target price of less than $500 to drive broad adoption in consumer and commercial vehicle markets.
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