Automotive supplier ZF buys 40% stake in Ibeo and both parties will jointly develop laser radar

Picture from optics.org

ZF acquires 40% of the shares of Ibeo;

Lidar is a key technology for automatic driving, object recognition and accident prevention;

Sensor fusion will be the core technology of Ibeo.

Recently, auto parts supply giant ZF announced the acquisition of a 40% stake in Ibeo, a German laser radar company. ZF’s share purchase is aimed at acquiring Ibeo’s expertise in Lidar technology and context-aware algorithms . These two technologies are important basic modules for realizing automotive autopilot.

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is an abbreviation of Laser Detection and Ranging System. Using a laser as a light source, an active remote sensing device using photoelectric detection technology. Laser radar is an advanced detection method combining laser technology with modern photoelectric detection technology.

ScaLa (picture from Motortrend)

Ibeo is a supplier of drone-free laser radar, founded in 1998 and acquired by sensor manufacturer Sick AG in 2000. In 2009, the company was independent from Sick AG. In 2010, it cooperated with Valeo to start mass production of ScaLa, an automotive product.

According to ZF official website, ZF CEO Stefan Sommer stated that ZF hopes to further expand its radar and camera technology-related sensor product portfolio.

This time, Ibeo and ZF will cooperate in depth. The latter will help the former to achieve the second technological leap and take a big step in the field of automotive applications. The two parties will collaborate on the development of the next-generation Lidar system to enable 3D imagery of the surrounding environment. Rebuilding, and there is no longer a need for the rotating mirrors included in current Lidar systems. This is due to the development of solid-state technology, and the cooperation between the two companies will design a Lidar system that is more compact and more cost-effective.

"In order to equip vehicles with better sensing and intelligent systems, we will gradually make up for our shortcomings in technology," Sommer explained the purpose of investing in Ibeo, "We can further enhance the integration of Lidar and sensors. The eyes and brains of the future car are moving towards the goal of zero accidents in the car."

ZF's investment will provide better support for Ibeo's growth. Ibeo has already recruited more than 50 engineers and technicians. The company plans to expand its R&D staff to 250. With the support of ZF, Ibeo will also plan to establish an Autonomous Driving Competence Center with the goal of solving mass production problems and developing highly-driving solutions.

The world's representative companies currently developing laser radar include: Velodyne, Ibeo and Quanergy.

In addition to Ibeo’s acquisition of partial equity in automotive components, Quanergy received a strategic investment in auto parts giant Delphi in 2015, which acquired a partial stake in Quanergy. Currently, engineers from both companies are working hard to develop a laser radar system. In July of this year, Quanergy received a $100 million Series B round of financing.

Velodyne presented its new product at the CES show in Las Vegas in January this year with the help of Ford's booth: "Solid-State Hybrid Ultra Puck Auto". An official unconfirmed news is that Ford may share its strategy with Velodyne.

As one of the most important sensors for autopilot, laser radar has long been the focus of attention in the industry. Major companies such as Google, BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Volvo, automotive suppliers such as Bosch, Delphi, Continental and Pioneer, as well as startups such as Cruise Automation, NuTonomy, etc., all use laser radar in their automated driving systems. Therefore, people in the industry have commented: Lidar is half of the auto-pilot.

The current problem with laser radar is its high cost and size. With the development of technology and the influx of automakers or suppliers into the company, Lidar will undoubtedly further reduce the cost of laser radar and accelerate the rapid development of autopilot.

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