South Korea develops lidar sensor smaller than thumb for self-driving cars

According to foreign media reports, Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea has developed a nanotechnology that can reduce the size of lidar sensors to even smaller than the size of a thumb.

LiDAR developed by POSTECH (Image source: POSTECH)

LiDAR, short for light detection and ranging, is a key device for realizing autonomous driving technology. Traditional LiDAR is usually installed on the roof of an autonomous vehicle, which can rotate and emit lasers to surrounding objects. By measuring the return time of light pulses, the sensor is able to build a 3D image of the surrounding environment. However, mechanically rotating LiDAR sensors easily heat up and consume a lot of electricity. In addition, such sensors are bulky, like two adult fists, and cost tens of thousands of dollars.

A team of researchers led by Professor Rho Jun-suk of Pohang University of Science and Technology has developed a nanotechnology that can make the size of lidar sensors 1,000 times smaller than rotating lidars. According to the professor, the sensor made by this new invention is about 10 times smaller than the more advanced chip-shaped sensors.

The chip-like lidar sensor emits a series of invisible infrared laser beams to achieve a deep 3D image. These reflected beams are turned into a set of points from which an image of the surrounding environment is calculated.

Professor Rho said: "If the research is successful, we will be able to manufacture high-speed, high-precision lidar sensors smaller than the size of a thumb at a lower cost." It is particularly worth mentioning that the ultra-precision lidar sensors developed by the research team can not only be used in self-driving cars, but can also be expanded to intelligent robots, drones, 3D panoramic cameras, CCTV (closed-circuit television) and augmented reality platforms.