AEye Inc, a robotic vision pioneer, announced completion of a successful live metropolitan demo showcasing its solid state commercial LiDAR system with 360° vehicle coverage. AEye’s high performance system employs a dense 150-vertical-channel LiDAR scanner, paired with region of interest configurability, for enhanced ranges up to 300 meters. AEye is the first to announce a commercial solid state system capable of 360° coverage and real-time software configurability - key milestones for the delivery of high performance, compact, cost-effective advanced vision systems that enable self-driving vehicles to safely navigate roadways.

Single frame high density point cloud from AEye's 150-channel intelligent LiDAR, capable of 360 degree vehicle coverage and 300 meter range (Image: AEye Inc.)

“This milestone reflects a leap into next generation vision systems, in which solid state systems combine best-in-class technology to achieve distance, frame-rate, and resolution previously unattainable,” said Luis Dussan, founder and CEO of AEye. “This is just the starting point for AEye. Our system’s use of intelligent sensing and software-definable LiDAR (SDL) will catalyze rapid innovation and world class perception capabilities, enabling OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and mobility companies to successfully tackle their toughest corner cases.”

AEye’s integrated system architecture and advanced algorithms emulate how the visual cortex pre-processes and customizes information sent to the brain. The system pre-fuses computer vision and 1550 nanometer band LiDAR for intelligent data collection and rapid perception and motion planning. AEye’s software-configurable hardware enables vehicle control system software to selectively customize data collection in real-time, while optional edge processing reduces control loop latency for optimal performance and safety.

By having a visual cortex behind the “eyes” of the vehicle that digests information quickly and efficiently, AEye improves reliability, lowers power requirements and reduces median system bandwidth requirements - advances that are key to providing high resolution and low latency mobility solutions. In addition, Its unique MEMS-based design allows for rapid development, customization, and cost-effective manufacturing at scale.