Enhancement Results in Fleet-Sized Order from Leading Map Provider
Morgan Hill, Calif. (March 18, 2014) – Velodyne’s LiDAR division (www.velodynelidar.com), the leading manufacturer and supplier of real-time LiDAR sensor technology used in a variety of commercial applications, today announced a quantity order for HDL-32E sensors, for a mobile mapping application that leverages the advantages of “Calibrated Reflectivies.”
The Calibrated Reflectivity data measured with the company’s 360° HDL-32E LiDAR sensors helps with localizing license plates, street signs and lane markings within 2D pictures and surround video data for classification/cataloging during asset management and blurring of privacy information. Knowing the location of the street signs and license plates in the 2D video data allows for automation of the post-processing, resulting in shorter process times and significant cost savings.
As a result of the enhanced sensor technology, Velodyne reported that the LiDAR division has received a significant follow-up order for its popular HDL-32E multi-channel LiDAR sensor. The technology will be deployed worldwide in a complex mobile mapping application using hundreds of Velodyne sensors.
“This is a major win, building on our successful relationship with a company that already operates a worldwide fleet of mobile mapping vehicles,” said Wolfgang Juchmann, Director of Sales and Marketing, Velodyne LiDAR.
Among other notable additional features: the HDL’s web server GUI, combined with the Internet-based script language (“.json”), that enables users to routinely monitor and control performance parameters during operation without wasting valuable collection time. The sensor’s compact footprint – together with its acquisition rate of ~700,000 data points per second — makes it a key component of the map provider’s powerful collection system. The unit is small enough to be shipped anywhere in the world using regular airfreight carriers. The 32 angled laser beams enable objects to be measured from different viewpoints, minimizing shadows and capturing three sides of a building in a single pass.
When mounting the lightweight HDL-32E (~1kg) on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the multi-angle approach can be the enabling factor to see objects that would otherwise be obscured by overhanging roofs or large-size covers.
About Velodyne LiDAR
Founded in 1983 and based in California’s Silicon Valley, Velodyne, Inc. is a diversified technology company known worldwide for its high-performance audio equipment and real-time LiDAR sensors. The company’s LiDAR division evolved after founder and inventor David Hall competed in the 2004-05 DARPA Grand Challenge using stereovision technology. Based on his experience during this challenge, Hall recognized the limitations of stereovision and developed the HDL64 high-resolution LiDAR sensor. More recently, Velodyne has released its smaller, lightweight HDL 32E sensor, available for many applications including UAVs. Since 2007, Velodyne’s LiDAR division has emerged as a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of real-time LiDAR sensor technology used in a variety of commercial applications including autonomous vehicles, vehicle safety systems, 3D mobile mapping, 3D aerial mapping and security. For more information, visit www.velodynelidar.com. For the latest information on new products and to receive Velodyne’s newsletter, register here.