MIT’s new lidar chip could give self-driving cars a wider view
MIT researchers have developed a new silicon-photonics lidar chip that eliminates moving parts and expands the field of view. By using an array of integrated antennas, the chip reduces crosstalk and noise, improving performance for autonomous systems.
Why it matters
This technology could make lidar sensors smaller, cheaper, and more durable, accelerating the adoption of autonomous vehicles and advanced mapping tools.
Lidar technology uses pulses of infrared light to calculate distances and create detailed 3D maps of the surrounding environment. This allows autonomous vehicles to detect objects in their path and respond quickly. However, conventional lidar sensors are often large and costly, and many rely on moving components that can wear out over time. These limitations make the systems difficult to use in a wider range of settings.
MIT researchers have now developed an approach that could lead to smaller, more durable lidar sensors that operate without any moving parts. Their advance centers on a new silicon-photonics chip, a type of semiconductor device that controls light instead of electrical signals.
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