Terahertz scanner for autonomous cars sees through fog
The imaging Teradar sensor is designed to overcome fog, rain, snow, darkness, and backlighting – better than radar, lidar, and cameras.
(Image: Teradar)
The startup Teradar from Boston has developed an imaging sensor that works with signals in the terahertz range. The primary goal is its use in autonomous vehicles, but also for military applications.
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The terahertz frequency range is above 1000 gigahertz; Teradar does not reveal the exact operating frequency of the scanner. In any case, the frequencies are significantly higher than those used by typical radar systems. This is intended to enable the terahertz sensor to achieve ten to twenty times higher resolution than Radar. However, Teradar does not disclose the specific resolution.
Lidar (Light imaging, detection and ranging) works with laser light, typically in the infrared spectrum. Lidar offers high resolution but is susceptible to interference from fog, rain, or snow.
(Image:Â Teradar)
The optical cameras preferred by Tesla CEO Elon Musk for autonomous cars can also fail due to fog, rain, snow, and dust, as well as darkness, backlighting, and reflections.
Therefore, Teradar sees significant advantages for its sensors, which are said to have a range of around 300 meters. They operate without moving parts (Solid State) and also without micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) chips. The Teradar sensors are intended to work with optical cameras.
Specific prices are not mentioned by Teradar. The company, founded in 2020, plans mass production starting in 2028. The company has raised 150 million US dollars in venture capital. Parts of the technology were developed with funding from the US Department of Energy (DoE).
(ciw)
