Livox launches solid-state self-calibrating lidar sensor with non-repeating scanning mode

According to foreign media reports, Livox, a lidar subsidiary of drone manufacturer DJI, has launched solid-state, self-calibrating sensors that use new scanning technology to not only have superior performance but also lower costs compared to traditional devices.

(Image source: DJI official website)

The new LiDAR sensor uses a non-repeating scanning pattern, which is superior to the traditional repetitive linear scanning pattern used by other LiDAR sensors. Thanks to its unique flower-like scanning pattern, when the sensor laser is emitted into a new space, the range of the scanned environment increases as the integration time increases. Horizontal linear scanning lasers sometimes encounter blind spots.

Livox claims that its new product Horizon has a detection range of 260 meters and a horizontal field of view of 81.7 degrees, which can cover a 10-meter range of four lanes. The company also claims that only five Horizons can cover a 360-degree field of view, and the cost is only about 5% of a 64-line mechanical lidar.

Another Livox sensor, Tele-15, can scan 99.8% of the area within a 15-degree circular field of view in 0.1 seconds and can detect objects 500 meters away, outperforming 128-line mechanical lidar sensors on the market.

Livox said that Horizon and Tele-15 can be easily embedded in existing and future vehicles. And more than 2,900 lidar sensors have been independently tested for a variety of environmental conditions. In addition, between minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 185 degrees Fahrenheit, the false alarm rate of these two lidars is less than one in ten thousand, and they have an IP67 protection level and are not affected by bad weather.

In terms of related software, Livox has a software development kit (SDK) that provides a range of tools for developers who want to create unique applications and algorithms. The SDK supports various operating systems such as Linux, Windows, Robot OS, and development languages ​​such as C, C++, and Python, supporting the use of Livox's lidar sensors on different platforms. Livox also provides basic algorithms such as external calibration and simultaneous positioning and mapping to help users get started quickly.