AEye, which develops advanced vision hardware, software and algorithms that serve as the eyes and visual cortex of autonomous vehicles, has announced the AE100, which the company calls a “leading-edge robotic perception system for autonomous vehicle, ADAS, and mobility markets.”

The AE100 is a "solid state, cost-optimized system" that is based on AEye’s Intelligent Detection and Ranging (iDAR) technology, which is a “new form of intelligent data collection that enables rapid, dynamic perception and enhanced path planning.”

Thanks to the integration of three core components, which include the world’s first agile MOEMS LiDAR, pre-fused and bore-sighted with a low-light HD video camera; distributed artificial intelligence; and software-definable and extensible hardware, iDAR can "dynamically adapt" to the real-time demands of automated and autonomous vehicles.

“The AE100 is a game-changer for the autonomous vehicle and ADAS markets, as it makes iDAR technology commercially available for the first time,” says Luis Dussan, founder and CEO of AEye.

“iDAR-based robotic perception allows sensors to mimic the visual cortex – bringing real-time intelligence to data collection. As a result, the system not only captures everything in a scene - it actually brings higher resolution to key objects and exceeds industry required speeds and distances. By solving for the limitations of first generation LiDAR-only solutions, AEye is enabling the safe, timely rollout of failsafe commercial autonomous vehicles.”

Starting this summer, the AE100 will be available to OEMs and Tier 1s launching autonomous vehicle initiatives.

AEye also has an iDAR Development Partner Program that is currently available to partners interested in equipping their products with iDAR.