OSRAM Signs Automotive Supply and Commercial Agreement with LeddarTech

LeddarTech® and OSRAM announce the signing of a long-term agreement for LeddarTech to provide industry-leading LiDAR hardware and software components for OSRAM’s PERCEPT™ LiDAR platform.

LeddarTech®, a global leader in Level 1-5 ADAS and AD sensing technology, and OSRAM, a global leader in automotive lighting and laser systems, are pleased to announce that they have signed a long-term agreement for LeddarTech to provide industry-leading LiDAR hardware and software components for OSRAM’s PERCEPT™ LiDAR platform.

The PERCEPT LiDAR platform is the first flexible solid-state LiDAR platform designed with industrialization and automotive industry qualification requirements in mind. OSRAM has a clear role as a Tier 2 supplier, with the goal of providing OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and system integrators with a mid- to long-range platform that can be adjusted to specific applications.

The goal of this collaboration is to provide the industry with the first automotive-grade ADAS and ultimately fully autonomous driving systems at mass-market prices.

“In early 2017, OSRAM recognized the promise of LeddarTech’s approach to LiDAR technology based on unique software and hardware components and invested $70 million to become a major shareholder,” said Dr. Olaf Berlien, CEO of OSRAM Licht AG. “Since then, we have committed more than an additional $70 million to LiDAR product development, enabling OSRAM to provide Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs with LiDAR solutions that meet their cost and performance requirements for large-scale deployment.”

OSRAM's PERCEPT LiDAR integrates LeddarTech's LeddarEngine™ technology. This technology consists of a series of highly integrated systems-on-chips that meet the ISO26262 standard and related LiDAR measurement software, which can greatly reduce system costs and shorten development time. The PERCEPT LiDAR platform, combined with OSRAM's laser products, optical module design and industrialization expertise, is the most versatile and powerful LiDAR currently available, and its cost level makes it possible to deploy ADAS systems with integrated LiDAR in batches.

OSRAM and LeddarTech will also collaborate to provide perception software solutions that provide enhanced 3D environmental models using PERCEPT LiDAR. These solutions will be based on LeddarTech’s perception technology, including raw data sensor fusion. By fusing cost-effective LiDAR, cameras, and radars, and taking lower overall system computing power, the technology can also provide enhanced cost-effective ADAS systems.

“LeddarTech is honored to receive the commitment of OSRAM, one of the most respected and by far the largest automotive lighting suppliers in the world. OSRAM’s strength in selling the PERCEPT LiDAR platform to all major OEMs will transform the automotive industry and enable mass deployment of ADAS systems, resulting in greatly enhanced safety and a significantly improved user experience,” said Mr. Charles Boulanger, CEO of LeddarTech. “OSRAM is one of the most respected automotive optical system suppliers and will be a leading supplier of automotive LiDAR solutions.” Mr. Boulanger continued, “LeddarTech’s expertise in LiDAR, sensor fusion, and perception technologies, combined with OSRAM’s industrialization capabilities and track record of delivering highly reliable and high-quality automotive modules, will create a model of successful industry collaboration.” Mr. Boulanger concluded that with the support of technology suppliers such as LeddarTech, he believes that Tier 1 automotive system suppliers will dominate the LiDAR sensing system market, just as they have in the field of radar and other sensing platforms.