Ever since the first Velodyne lidar sensors first began appearing on the automated vehicles in the DARPA Grand Challenge in the mid-2000s, one of the questions asked has been how do we get rid of those ugly protrusions on the roof? Some companies like Waymo have made them sleeker looking, but have embraced the essential nature of what they are. Others, like Luminar have taken a different approach, integrating lidar sensors that they claim have better performance while at the same time trying to make them nearly disappear. That’s the idea behind Luminar’s new Blade.
From an article in Forbes by Sam Abuelsamid.
While Luminar expects its lidar sensors to be utilized on utilitarian vehicles like robotaxis, they will also be on vehicles that consumers are expected to buy and frankly, ugly or weird doesn’t usually sell that well. The Iris lidar sensor that is headed for a production launch on the next-generation Volvo XC90 sometime in 2022 followed by other programs with SAIC in China and Daimler Trucks is relatively slim compared to the typical rotating sensors. It’s a little over 12-inches wide and about two-inches tall.
Volvo has previously released a render showing it as a modest hump on top of the windshield and Luminar has now released photos of a prototype Toyota Rav4 with basically the same installation.
Luminar has now partnered with NewDealDesign to create the Blade. The Blade is intended as a fully integrated housing system for up to four Iris sensors plus other sensors that are likely to be used on automated driving systems (ADS) such as radar and cameras. While the 2022 Volvo is only expected to use a single forward facing lidar sensor, Level 4 ADS that can operate completely driverless will in most cases require multiple sensors because the Iris, like most other non-rotating sensors only has a 120 degree horizontal field of view. Rotating sensors like those from Velodyne, Waymo, Argo AI and China’s Hesai all have a 360 degree field of view.
For the complete article on integrating lidar sensors CLICK HERE.
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