Terabee has announced ​TeraRanger Tower Evo, its new generation 360 degree solid-state LiDAR.

Lightweight, compact and ideal for collision avoidance on UAS and robots, TeraRanger Tower Evo has up to eight detection zones monitored simultaneously and at high-speeds.

After using the TeraRanger One sensors to launch its first-generation Tower in 2016, Terabee is now using the latest ​TeraRanger Evo sensors​ for this new version. As a result, the maximum range indoors has increased from 14 meters up to 60 meters, while outdoors in strong sunlight, 20 to 30 meters in range is possible.

“We have always worked closely with the mobile robotics community. In response to client feedback we’ve made the device smaller and easier to integrate,” explains Terabee CEO, Max Ruffo.

“We’ve also increased the data sampling rates and with Tower Evo you can now achieve up to 600Hz per sensor. It is also ROS-ready and Pixhawk compatible, and for drone users we’ve added a LED driver to create a visual-aid when flying close to hazards. Multi-colored LED’s can be attached to the drone and when distance thresholds are reached, the colors change like a traffic light system.”

In addition to these capabilities, the Tower Evo is also 35% lower in cost, Ruffo notes.

TeraRanger Tower Evo is designed for UAS and mobile robot navigation and collision avoidance, thanks to its “unique circular array of distance sensors.” This can also be used for point cloud generation.

Tower Evo doesn’t have any moving parts, which the company says results in increased robustness, higher data sampling rates for a given point, and silent operation. Additionally, Tower Evo’s active infrared Time-of-Flight sensors are eye safe in all conditions.

TeraRanger Tower Evo currently comes in two configurations; with either four or eight distance sensors. Users can choose from the Evo 60m sensors for longer range, or the Evo 600Hz sensors for higher speed.