Founded in 1993, MicroVision is known for its PicoP scanning technology, an ultra-miniature laser projection and sensing solution based on the company’s laser beam scanning (LBS) methodology. As stated by MicroVision, the technology “enables OEMs to create products that are slim, lightweight and power-efficient” while providing key benefits for different applications, such as personal projection, head-up displays, imaging and sensing, and eyewear displays.
Recently, the company announced the distribution of product samples for customer evaluation, which include Microvision’s latest time-of-flight (MTOF) application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS). Presented last year, this new MTOF ASICS technology was specifically developed for Microvision’s MEMS scanners and other system components to create highly accurate, small-form-factor lidar sensors that capture 3D point clouds of the area in front of the device.
The sensors are capable of real-time, interactive capture of moving targets and can be used in various applications that have point cloud densities of 5 million to 20 million points per seconds in resolutions of approximately 720 vertical lines, including ADAS, autonomous vehicles, SLAM, AR/VR, and industrial and warehouse automation.
“Our MTOF ASICS represent a tangible step forward in our goal to bring small, inexpensive LiDAR-based products to the consumer, smart home, and automotive markets. Our interactive projector for IoT applications, and our consumer LiDAR for smart home and office applications will use these ASICS,” said Perry Mulligan, MicroVision’s Chief Executive Officer.
Developed on a high-performance RF process, the LiDAR sensor achieves the low-power and low-cost objectives of MicroVision’s ASIC program. Although there isn’t any information on what its actual price might be, MicroVision expects to make it available for volume production in early 2019.
