Leuven-based Xenomatix has optimized its lidar system to the point of mass production. Because the technology is solid-state, it’s more robust and easier to manufacture than other lidar systems, making advanced 3D sensing more scalable, affordable and future-proof.
Lidar technology has long been regarded as a premium sensor technology. It was more expensive than radar and primarily focused on high-end autonomous vehicles. However, Xenomatix’ Xavia, a solid-state lidar system expected to hit the market in September, disrupts this view. The elimination of moving parts by the Belgian company results in a more robust product that’s easier to assemble, bringing down manufacturing costs.
Unlike traditional lidar systems, which rely on a quick succession of single laser beams at varying angles, Xavia has no moving parts such as rotating mirrors or mechanical scanners. Instead, it projects a dense grid of laser beams simultaneously. The data generated by the reflection is immediately processed to form a “point cloud,” a cloud of data points, resulting in the 3D image of the surroundings.
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