Reliable data and peak performance aren’t enough when it comes to mass automotive applications. Automotive LiDAR sensors also need to remain durable, have a low cost, be easily manufacturable, and be compact enough to mount anywhere in the vehicle – even behind the windshield.
At Baraja, we’ve developed our LiDAR sensor from the ground up—and always with automotive integration in mind. Our LiDAR system not only meets the reliability, power consumption, and performance needs of autonomous vehicles, but is also designed to integrate seamlessly into the vehicle. That is why we are one of the first LiDAR sensors to provide a clear roadmap to an endgame LiDAR.
Challenges to automotive integration
Automakers are turning to next-generation LiDAR systems to solve the critical challenges of autonomy and enable fully autonomous driving technology. The size, limitations and cost of legacy LiDAR systems will hinder mass deployment in consumer vehicles. Packing all the performance capabilities of LiDAR into a small, cost-effective design isn’t an easy challenge.
Next-generation LiDAR sensors must be able to achieve:
- Peak Performance: They need to be able to produce long-range, high-resolution point clouds to ensure accurate perception and object detection.
- Low Cost: To bring autonomy to the masses, the cost of LiDAR sensors and other autonomous systems needs to maintain a low price point.
- Reliability: Data integrity is non-negotiable for automotive applications. LiDAR components and the information they produce need to be highly reliable and have longevity.
- Integration: Vehicle design is important, and developing LiDAR sensors with a small form factor and low power consumption will enable automakers to package the “eyes of the vehicles” into inconspicuous places, such as headlights, taillights, or behind the windshield.
A new way to see light
Baraja’s patented Spectrum-Scan™ technology uses wavelength-tunable lasers to scan the environment, which has allowed us to eliminate the most expensive, bulky, and failure-prone components of a LiDAR system—mechanical scanning in the fast axis.
On the Baraja Spectrum-Scan™ LiDAR system, there are no large spinning lasers, swiveling mirrors, or other cumbersome, rapidly moving parts—just a laser, prism-like optics, and a smart design to enable beam-steering.
This breakthrough design innovation has enabled us to meet reliability and performance standards while maintaining a long lifespan, rugged durability, and low cost. It has also put us on track to achieve wafer-scale, on-chip design and volume production.
The benefits of Spectrum-Scan™ technology don’t stop at integration either.
Our unique fast axis solid-state design also means increased durability and longevity. Fast-moving components, in particular, can quickly become worn down, severely shortening their lifespan and increasing maintenance costs, and reducing data reliability over time. We are meeting the needs of autonomous technology today with technology durable enough to solve the problems automakers will face tomorrow.
See how Spectrum-Scan™ technology works
Curious how Baraja’s Spectrum-Scan™ technology is different from other LiDAR systems? Contact our sales team today to request a demonstration and learn how our LiDAR can power your autonomous technology.
