Voyant Photonics introduces Carbon lidar sensor

Voyant Photonics has introduced the Carbon frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) lidar sensor. It features lidar on a chip with solid-state beam steering integrated into a fingernail-sized silicon photonic chip. The Carbon sensor offers high-resolution imaging with millimeter precision and object detection capabilities up to 200 m.

 FMCW technology enables instant velocity measurement at each point, in addition to distance, reflectivity and intensity data. This 4D capability allows for high-fidelity point cloud data generation, providing a real-time view of the environment up to 20 times per second, according to Voyant Photonics.

The sensor’s performance is notable in various environmental conditions. It can operate effectively through dust, fog, rain, and snow and is immune to sunlight interference, particularly during sunrise and sunset. Additionally, it is not affected by highly reflective objects such as street signs, traffic cones and safety vests.

The Carbon sensor seeks to enhance machine perception capabilities across various industries, including industrial automation, robotics and security applications. Its software-defined lidar feature allows users to modify the frame rate and adjust the field of view during operation.