Korean lidar sensor startup SOS LAB have outlined new funding and plans to commercialise a low-cost lidar sensor for vehicles based on VCSELs (vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers).
SOS Lab are targeting the autonomous vehicle sector, seeing their products taking a place in the ecosystem of sensors that will work in tandem to ensure the safety of future vehicles offering a high degree of autonomy.
CEO Jiseong Jeong says “To commercialise autonomous driving technology above level 3, the technology readiness level must be elevated so that the technology is safe enough for customers to use.”
SOS Lab, along with many of their rivals in the sector, are working on a solid-state approach compatible with mass production and, ultimately, much lower in cost than the mechanical scanning lidar sensors that have dominated the scene in early versions of autonomous vehicles.
Unveiled at CES this past January, SOS’ ML-1 solid-state lidar is claimed to offer a range of 50 m. The company also offer an SL-1 model, described as a hybrid technology and with a claimed range of 230 m.