FIMA invited XenomatiX to demonstrate their solid-state LiDaR at the Tampere University

FIMA, the Forum for Intelligent Machines, challenged XenomatiX to demonstrate their state-of-art solid state LiDaR at the Tampere University Mobile Lab. The demo, which was attended by a total of 11 local companies, consisted of a presentation about the technology and a demonstration of it.

LiDaR, Light Detection and Ranging, is a technology, which allows us to scan our surrounding. It uses light in the form of laser to measure distances, in order to generate 3D information about the target object, the earth’s surface and the general surrounding.

XenomatiX, specialized on the automotive sector, designs and builds services and products, which enable 3D digitalization, such as solid-state LiDaR, which is a promising alternative to traditional LiDaR. LiDaR technology is electromechanical; it is dependent on moving parts in order to obtain measurements.

The solid-state XenoLidar system is built on a silicon chip, with no moving parts included. This makes the technology more durable and accurate, as it is less prone to inaccuracy or dysfunction due to vibrations, especially in heavy equipment, tells VP Sales & Business Development Kris De Meester from XenomatiX.

It can be constructed smaller, which allows new ways of mounting the LiDaR; it is expected to be less pricey, which would allow to use this technology more widely.

While LiDaR is often mentioned when it comes to autonomous driving, as it allows to understand a vehicle’s surrounding in real-time, it offers various possibilities for application. LiDaR technology will have big importance in future solutions, also in Smart City solutions.

How can it be applied in Smart Cities?

LiDaR is a key technology for many smart city applications, such as smart traffic and traffic management, counting, mapping and safety.

• Data about traffic can help to design traffic safer and more fluid. LiDaR can support maintenance of roads, as it is able to detect possible potholes. Furthermore, data about traffic can help us to understand the needs of all road users, which especially helps to protect the more vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.
• The data we receive through counting can help to design events with a high number of visitors more pleasant and safer, by gaining knowledge about occupancy and traffic.
• Autonomous driving is an important issue when talking about mobility. Solid-state LiDaR installed in vehicles aims to be as precise as possible, in order to guarantee safety for all road users and therefore benefits a smart development of mobility.

LiDaR offers many possibilities and the solid-state LiDaR is an approach, to make this technology more accessible and more precise.  As solid-state LiDaR is still in an early stage of development an application, it is yet to see where and how it will be implemented in the future.

Smart Tampere followed the presentation of XenomatiX’ state-of-art solid state LiDaR with big interest, as smart cities become smart through knowing which technologies will shape our futures.