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Lunewave: Compact 3D-printed radar sensor aims to work more precisely

New radar concept reduces the complexity of driver assistance systems and autonomous driving functions and promises higher quality in the identification and differentiation of objects. Central electronic component comes from a 3-D printer.

The radar sensor from Lunewave is said to be the size of a ping-pong ball and can also be manufactured using 3D printing technology. | Photo: Lunewave
The radar sensor from Lunewave is said to be the size of a ping-pong ball and can also be manufactured using 3D printing technology. | Photo: Lunewave
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Johannes Reichel

The US start-up Lunewave from Arizona has developed a ping-pong ball-sized radar sensor for autonomous driving, whose core element consists of a 3D-printed Luneburg lens. This lens has 6,000 chambers, which feature a wide range and high gain and are capable of generating beams in all directions – both laterally and vertically. According to the provider, two Lunewave radar sensors could thus replace 20 sensors used today, offering higher resolution and performance across a wide field of view. The resolution of the radar is claimed to be six times better than the best competing product, according to the Americans. For example, a conventional radar achieves a resolution of 2-3 degrees, while the Lunewave radar achieves 0.5 degrees, specifies the provider. This is crucial because the system can thus safely differentiate between closely spaced people. The sensor does not register them as a single point.

Greatly Reduced Number of Radar Sensors for Levels 4 and 5

The high resolution of the radar sensor is intended to make it possible, during the processing of signal data, to distinguish between objects such as shopping carts and people. Vehicles with ADAS are equipped with six to eight radars, while vehicles with autonomous driving functions have 15 to 20. In contrast, Lunewave needs only two radars for Level 2 and four radars for Level 5. Due to the Lüneburg lens with its 6000 chambers, for which the provider has simultaneously developed a 3-D printing process, the radar can not only detect objects horizontally ahead or at the side but also if they are vertically offset. Uneven roads, on-ramps, or off-ramps should pose no problem for the sensor eye.

"If fewer sensors need to be installed in the vehicle due to this 180° coverage, both horizontally and vertically, it reduces the complexity of the active safety system, reduces the volume of data to be processed, and lowers the development effort," the provider advertises for the system.

Due to the interest of OEMs in this radar technology, the start-up is in contact with Tier 1 for the start of series production from 2024. The company plans to announce a corresponding partnership in 2021.

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Translated automatically from German.
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