Renesas Electronics and Dibotics Launch Real-Time, Low-Power LiDAR Solution Based on R-Car SoC to Advance Autonomous Driving Technology

Open LiDAR solutions will expand Renesas autonomy™ Platform and will be demonstrated at Dibotics booth at CES 2018 (Central Plaza North Hall, CP-5, French Automotive Pavilion)

Tokyo, Japan, Paris, France, December 18, 2017 - Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723), a leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, and Dibotics, a pioneer and leader in real-time 3D LiDAR processing, announced today that they have collaborated to develop automotive-grade embedded solutions for light detection and ranging (LiDAR) processing for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving applications. The collaboration enables system manufacturers to implement real-time 3D mapping systems with low power consumption and advanced functional safety (FuSa).

Currently, LiDAR processing requires an efficient processing platform and advanced embedded software. By combining Renesas’ automotive R-Car SoCs, which include high-performance image processing technology and low power consumption, with Dibotics’ 3D real-time localization and mapping (SLAM) technology, system manufacturers can offer SLAM on Chip™ (Note 1). SLAM on Chip enables 3D SLAM processing required for high-performance PCs on the SoC, and enables 3D mapping using only LiDAR data, without the need for inertial measurement unit (IMU) and global positioning system (GPS) data. This collaboration makes it possible to implement real-time 3D mapping systems with low power consumption and advanced functional safety within automotive systems.

To welcome the advent of the autonomous driving era, the automotive electronics market continues to optimize the sensor technology required for autonomous vehicles, including real-time high-definition perception of the environment, precise positioning of the vehicle, and real-time sensor fusion. LiDAR has become a key sensor for achieving autonomous driving because it can very accurately sense obstacles around the vehicle and control the vehicle through real-time communication with the electronic control unit (ECU), which is superior to alternative methods such as cameras and radar. The amount of data transmitted through LiDAR sensing technology has increased dramatically, which will drive the demand for high-performance, real-time processing of massive data.

“The seamless combination of Renesas and Dibotics technologies enables a real-time, efficient solution for advanced LiDAR data processing with the highest levels of automotive functional safety,” said Jean-Francois Chouteau, Vice President of Renesas Global ADAS Center. “Renesas is collaborating with innovative partners to optimize its end-to-end platform, the Renesas autonomy Platform, for autonomous driving, and we are pleased to announce our collaboration with Dibotics to deliver disruptive technology to the LiDAR market.”

“LiDAR sensors will play a critical role in all ADAS and autonomous driving features,” said Raul Bravo, CEO and co-founder of Dibotics. “This collaboration combines Renesas’ design expertise with Dibotics’ unique cutting-edge performance to help OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and LiDAR manufacturers reduce development costs and accelerate time to market. We are excited to work with a market leader like Renesas.”

Unlike existing methods, Dibotics' Augmented LiDAR™ software implements 3D SLAM technology, which only requires data from LiDAR sensors to achieve 3D mapping. It does not require additional input from IMU, GPS or wheel encoders (Note 2), eliminating additional integration work, reducing BOM costs and simplifying development. In addition, the software also implements point-by-point classification (Note 3), detection and tracking of the shape, speed and trajectory of moving objects, and Multi-LiDAR fusion (Note 4).

The high performance of the R-Car enables it to run Dibotics' Augmented LiDAR software. The R-Car has low power consumption and complies with the ISO 26262 (ASIL) functional safety standard to achieve high functional safety. The Renesas R-Car is part of the groundbreaking Renesas autonomy™ Platform for ADAS and automated driving, providing a comprehensive end-to-end solution from the cloud to sensing and vehicle control.

Dibotics will be showcasing its Augmented LiDAR solution at CES 2018 in Las Vegas, January 9-12, 2018 (Central Plaza North Hall, CP-5, French Automotive Pavilion).

(Note 1) On-chip SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping on Chip): SLAM is a computing algorithm that generates and updates a map of an unknown environment while tracking the vehicle's position. On-chip SLAM implements SLAM technology on an SoC.

(Note 2) A wheel encoder measures the rotation of the wheel. This measurement gives the speed of the car.

(Note 3) Automatically classifies each point provided by LiDAR without using machine learning, previous knowledge or map data

(Note 4) Combine multiple LiDAR data in real time without calibration or synchronization

About Dibotics

Dibotics, based in Paris, France, is committed to providing innovative real-time LiDAR data processing. Dibotics was founded in 2015 by Raul Bravo and Olivier Garcia, two serial entrepreneurs with 15 years of experience in LiDAR data processing for mobile robotics applications. Dibotics has an original technology solution that is different from the traditional model. Its sensor-agnostic 3D SLAM technology (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) and Augmented LiDAR™ create the first solution that can achieve advanced functions such as point-by-point classification, object detection/tracking, and calibration-free sensor fusion based only on the data obtained by the sensor itself. All these advanced functions do not require any learning (deterministic) and can be embedded in small size and low power integrated circuits (SLAM on Chip™).

To learn more about Augmented LiDAR™ solutions, visit http://www.augmentedlidar.com/.

For sensors other than LiDAR (radar, 3D ToF camera, sonar), please visit http://www.dibotics.com/.

About Renesas Electronics Corporation

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) provides professional and trusted innovative embedded design and complete semiconductor solutions, aiming to improve people's work and lifestyle safely and reliably through billions of connected smart devices using its products. As a global leading supplier of microcontrollers, analog power devices and SoC products, Renesas Electronics provides professional technical support, quality assurance and comprehensive solutions for various applications such as automotive, industrial, home (HE), office automation (OA), information and communication technology (ICT), and looks forward to working with you to create an infinite future. For more information, please visit renesas.com.

(Remarks) Renesas autonomy is a trademark of Renesas Electronics Corporation. SLAM on Chip and Augmented LiDAR are trademarks of Dibotics. All product or service names mentioned in this press release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.