SiLC Technologies Inc. has demonstrated what it claims is the longest detection range for a lidar sensor — capable of perceiving, identifying and avoiding objects at a range of more than 1 kilometer.
The Eyeonic Vision Sensor integrates millimeter-level accuracy, depth and instantaneous velocity for autonomous driving and machine vision applications. The technology will be used as part of a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) lidar system.
The ultra-long-range visibility is considered a key to machine vision application in the automotive, metrology, construction and drone industries. Having such a long range could enable vehicles to evade obstacles at high speeds or enable drones to avoid other aircraft in the sky or control deforestation by enabling precision mapping and surveying of forests.
AT CES 2022 earlier this year, SiLC was able to demonstrate that its vision sensor was capable of a detection range of more than 500 meters after it first released its FMCW lidar transceiver based Eyeonic Vision sensor in December of last year. The Eyeonic Vision sensor integrates a silicon photonic chip that integrates FMCW lidar functionality into a single chip.
SiLC said the sensor provides both long range and short range detection that functions similarly to how the human eye and brain process together to classify and predict the environment.
