Aeva®, a frontrunner in next generation sensing and perception systems, has been chosen by Airbus UpNext, a wholly owned Airbus subsidiary established to explore innovative technologies, to supply its state-of-the-art 4D LiDAR technology for the Optimate smart automation demonstrator.
Aeva’s distinctive 4D LiDAR technology employs frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) sensing to simultaneously detect both precise distance and velocity for each point in a scene — a significant advancement over conventional LiDAR systems. Its capability of delivering high-resolution data at long ranges of up to 500 metres makes it ideally suited for the complex and dynamic environments found in airports, such as runways and taxiways.
Optimate is a forward-thinking project designed to assist pilots in their missions and support decision-making processes. As part of this initiative, various sensor technologies, including multiple Aeva 4D LiDAR units, are being tested on an Airbus A350-1000 flight test aircraft and an electric truck during hundreds of hours of taxi operations at Toulouse-Blagnac airport, as well as at a more complex international airport.
“Airbus has a proven history of innovation and introducing next generation technologies to the air transportation industry at scale,” said Soroush Salehian, Co-founder and CEO at Aeva. “This collaboration is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the transformative potential of Aeva’s 4D LiDAR technology in the aviation industry. We’re excited to support the Optimate team in their smart automation technologies exploration.”
Aeva’s mission is to usher in the next wave of perception across a wide range of applications, from automated driving and industrial robotics to consumer electronics, consumer health, security, and beyond. Aeva is redefining autonomy through its pioneering sensing and perception technology, which integrates all critical LiDAR components onto a silicon photonics chip in a compact module. Aeva 4D LiDAR sensors uniquely detect instantaneous velocity alongside 3-D position, enabling autonomous systems such as vehicles and robots to make more intelligent and safer decisions.
