The story of the birth of TI mmWave technology - the road to innovation

Before the advent of TI mmWave technology, radar safety systems were only available in high-end vehicles. This affordable solution allows radar sensors to be incorporated into mid- and low-cost vehicles, helping to make cars safer.

“We had to go from product definition to system implementation, device realization, and finally demonstration, but it was all worth it,” said Srinath.

A range of technologies

But the team’s work isn’t limited to automotive applications. A little more than a decade after their initial project, these innovators have created a range of technologies that enable a range of applications, from in-car sensing to robotic manipulation in factories to monitoring a roomful of people’s vital signs without physical contact.

Since 2012, the mmWave design team has grown into a significant team within TI working on related technologies and developing a complete product portfolio, adding approximately 50 new patents to the core team's initial 24 patents.

“Many people contributed key innovations and focused efforts to make this happen,” Baher said. “Our success would not have been possible without them.”

The focus of the mmWave team today is to continue to expand the application of radar technology beyond traditional markets. The products they create solve visual perception challenges around the world.

“It all started with automotive, but the team is focused on both understanding today’s needs while also anticipating future needs to continue expanding the use of affordable radar technology,” Baher said.

Mission to create a better world

At TI, our mission is to create a better world by making electronics more affordable through semiconductors. TI has been developing technologies like mmWave for years as generations of incremental and breakthrough innovations have made electronics smaller, more efficient, more reliable and more affordable.

“We needed to put life-saving technology in more cars, and we did it. We democratized radar by lowering the cost and simplifying its use so that you can use it directly without having to have more underlying accumulation,” said Vijay.