Velodyne Lidar introduces Velabit

Velodyne Lidar has introduced Velabit, Velodyne's smallest sensor which the company says brings new levels of versatility and affordability to 3D LiDAR perception, at CES 2020. The Velabit leverages Velodyne's innovative LiDAR technology and manufacturing partnerships for cost optimisation and high-volume production. The sensor advances Velodyne's mission to make high-quality 3D LiDAR sensors readily accessible to everyone.

The Velabit perfectly complements Velodyne's sensor portfolio. The sensor delivers the same technology and performance found on Velodyne's full suite of state-of-the-art sensors and will be the catalyst for creating endless possibilities for new applications in a variety of industries. The compact Velabit can be embedded almost anywhere within vehicles, robots, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), infrastructure and more. It is designed to be easy to manufacture at mass production levels.

The Velabit is engineered to be an optimal automotive grade LiDAR solution for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles. It enables robust perception coverage for Blind-Spot Monitoring, Cross Traffic Detection, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety. Highly configurable for customer application, this mid-range sensor can be combined with other Velodyne lidar sensors, such as the Velarray, for high-speed operation or function as a standalone LiDAR solution in low-speed applications.

The Velabit addresses the cost, safety and design challenges of autonomous solutions while delivering strong sensor performance. It provides integrated processing in a compact size of 2.4” x 2.4” x 1.38” - smaller than a deck of playing cards - to be easily embedded in a wide range of solutions. The new sensor has a range up to 100 metres and an outstanding field of view (FoV), 60-degree horizontal FoV x 10-degree vertical FoV.

The Velabit is highly configurable to support a range of applications. It is built on the proven, Class 1 eye-safe 903 nanometer technology. It features a bottom connector with cable length options. Multiple manufacturing sources are scheduled to be available for qualified production projects.

“The Velabit democratises LiDAR with its ultra-small form factor and its sensor pricing targeted at $100 in high-volume production, making 3D LiDAR available for all safety-critical applications,” said Anand Gopalan, Chief Executive Officer, Velodyne Lidar. “Its combination of performance, size and price position the Velabit to drive a quantum leap in the number of lidar-powered applications. The sensor delivers what the industry has been seeking: a breakthrough innovation that can jump-start a new era of autonomous solutions on a global scale.”

“Before the Velabit there was no suitable small and lightweight LiDAR for small unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles performing obstacle avoidance or mapping,” said Alberto Lacaze, President, Robotic Research. “Since Robotic Research's Pegasus Mini is a fully autonomous ground and air vehicle, it requires the Velabit's size and versatility. In addition, the Velabit enables the most advanced GPS-denied HD mapping in the industry. The Velabit fills a much-needed space in the market and is currently in a class of its own.”