Quanergy presents car LiDAR sensors at Frankfurt Motor Show

17 Sep 2015

Accident-reducing technology is based on real-time 3D mapping and object detection, tracking and classification.

Quanergy Systems, a developer of LiDAR sensors and smart sensing solutions for real-time 3D mapping and object detection, tracking and classification, is displaying a new, complete LiDAR-based vehicle perception system at the 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), which runs September 15-27. The Sunnyvale, Ca, US-based company will be giving demonstrations of its latest 3D LiDAR sensor and perception software in the Connected Car Pavilion.

“Quanergy’s low-cost, high-performance LiDAR products are important building blocks for developing autonomous vehicles and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS),” said the company's CEO Dr Louay Eldada. “Our innovative solid state LiDARs are essential for automobile manufacturers to economically and reliably offer these advanced life-saving safety technologies, and we look forward to demonstrating our solutions.”

The company already has partnerships with Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai-Kia and Renault-Nissan along with other companies in the automotive industry. Quanergy says its solutions are applicable in numerous sectors basides automotive, including other modes of transportation, mapping, navigation, surveying, security, railways, aeronautics, and industrial automation.

Quanergy was established in 2012, based on “decades of experience of its team in the areas of optics, photonics, optoelectronics, artificial intelligence software, and control systems,” said the company’s Motor Show announcement. Its LiDAR systems can also benefit smart homes, smart cities and 3D-aware consumer electronics. The automation solutions are said to improve safety, efficiency, and performance, while reducing operating costs.

Dr Eldada added, “Our LiDAR sensors and software enable real-time capture and processing of 3D mapping data and object detection, tracking, and classification. In transportation, the data is utilized to greatly improve the accuracy and reliability of on-board driver safety systems and enhance them with perception, scenario analysis, and decision making capability for active control, as well as enable autonomous driving in the future.

“Our LiDAR sensors are eye-safe and feature 360° field of view, a few-hundred-meter range, centimeter accuracy, 30 Hz scanning frequency, 0.1° angular resolution, a high dynamic range under various weather conditions. We believe that 80% of transportation accidents are avoidable by using this technology.” Quanergy’s LiDAR innovations are covered by eight patent applications.

Chancellor Merkel opens Motor Show

IAA, the world’s most important trade fair for the automotive sector, running this week and next in Frankfurt, Germany, is showing that the digitization of mobility is the "mega topic", according to the organizer. Digital and optical technologies will make driving even safer, more comfortable, and more efficient. The German automotive industry alone is investing €16 to €18 billion in connected and automated driving over the next three to four years.

About the Author

Matthew Peach is a contributing editor to optics.org.