The world is seeing exciting new uses of lidar that advance safe mobility and smart autonomy regularly emerge through the skills and hard work of tech product visionaries.
The Automated with Velodyne program works with a global ecosystem of integrators and solution providers to commercialize next generation autonomous solutions using Velodyne’s lidar sensors. Through Automated with Velodyne, we work closely with ecosystem companies on marketing campaigns, business development efforts and technical assistance to support their business growth.
Looking across the program, companies in South Korea stand out for their foresight, inventiveness and entrepreneurship in building trailblazing lidar-based solutions across a range of applications. It is no surprise this is the case. According to Bloomberg, South Korea was the number one most innovative country in the world from 2014-2019 only to be edged out by Germany in 2020.
This post kicks off a two-part series where we look at some of the most exciting Automated with Velodyne partners in South Korea that have developed autonomous solutions. These lidar-based solutions include autonomous vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), mapping, robotics and more.
We begin the series with a review of autonomous vehicle solutions for consumer and commercial markets. Here are the Velodyne partners:
Autonomous a2z develops Level 4 autonomous driving solutions. They provide a platform for autonomous driving-based robotaxi and shuttle development. Autonomous a2z has enabled over 20,000 km of autonomous driving on complex roads and highways. They offer a software developer kit (SDK) to Velodyne Lidar users and developers, and are developing autonomous driving-based unmanned performance testing equipment.
MORAI has developed a simulation platform specifically designed for autonomous vehicle development and testing that uses our lidar sensors. The platform provides a realistic, fully configurable virtual simulation environment for companies to test the robustness of their full-stack autonomous driving algorithms. Companies can test their algorithms in any weather and lighting conditions, and search for edge and corner cases. They can safely test potentially dangerous scenarios, such as emergency braking or obstacle avoidance, and freely create varied sensor configurations of cameras and lidar.
Seoul Robotics has developed an AI perception engine for lidar sensors, providing real-time object detection, classification, tracking and prediction for autonomous systems. Their AI engine can power self-driving cars as well as smart city applications and advanced parameter monitoring systems for facilities. Their SENSR perception software includes an AI engine that is fully optimized to utilize our entire portfolio of lidar sensors, including the Puck™, Ultra Puck™ and Alpha Prime™.
ThorDrive started from an autonomous technology developed at Seoul National University and real-world tested for over 3 years and 80,000 miles. Their core competencies are in environment perception, planning, 3D map generation and high-precision localization. ThorDrive tests and validates the full stack of software modules with automated test vehicles in diverse and complex urban environments. One example of a ThorDrive application is their autonomous cargo and baggage ground support tractor for airports. Equipped with our Ultra Puck lidar sensors, these autonomous tractors can be found in action at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
Unmanned Solution is focused on autonomous vehicle development, sensor fusion technology and ADAS technology development. Their autonomous program encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, such as on-road vehicles, agricultural equipment, robots and autonomous systems integration. It also includes the development of an instructional platform for educational programs serving students studying autonomous and robotics technology. Unmanned Solution has developed an autonomous driving shuttle called WITH:US, which can be deployed with Puck or Ultra Puck sensors, designed to replace the town shuttle bus.
Vueron provides lidar perception software for autonomous driving, ADAS and security systems equipped with our Ultra Puck sensor. Based on Vueron point cloud processing algorithms, they have developed a high-performance, stable and practical perception software solution. Their software identifies objects with high precision around the sensor, delivering high performance while operating in a low power environment.
Lumisol has been Velodyne’s reseller in South Korea since 2009. They offer Velodyne’s surround view and solid-state directional lidar sensor portfolio. Lumisol supports product developers with autonomous vehicle, mapping, robotics, security and unmanned aerial vehicle solutions.
Velodyne Lidar (Nasdaq: VLDR, VLDRW) ushered in a new era of autonomous technology with the invention of real-time surround view lidar sensors. Velodyne, a global leader in lidar, is known for its broad portfolio of breakthrough lidar technologies. Velodyne’s revolutionary sensor and software solutions provide flexibility, quality and performance to meet the needs of a wide range of industries, including robotics, industrial, intelligent infrastructure, autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Through continuous innovation, Velodyne strives to transform lives and communities by advancing safer mobility for all.
