Velodyne Touts $50 Lidar Sensor

Morgan Hill, Calif.-based Velodyne Lidar Inc. has developed a new solid-state lidar sensor that measures only 4 square millimeters and is expected to cost less than $50 per unit when produced for high-volume applications.

Lidar devices used in prototype autonomous vehicles cost as much as $80,000. Several suppliers are developing solid-state systems, which use tiny mirrors instead of individual spinning laser emitters, that promise to reduce costs to a few hundred dollars.

Velodyne’s solid-state system uses a monolithic gallium nitride (GaN) integrated circuit that consolidates components to significantly reduce the size and cost of the sensor, according to the company. El Segundo, Calif.-based Efficient Power Conversion Corp. supplies the GaN chip (pictured in red).

The design reduces the number of moving parts, which helps improve reliability. GaN chips also enable higher image resolution and greater integration, Velodyne says.

The new lidar sensors currently are being tested and integrated into future products. Velodyne will announce a product release date next year.