Aeva’s technology will power SICK’s portfolio of high-performance sensors for manufacturing automation applications.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—Aeva®, a developer of next-generation sensing and perception systems, has expanded its strategic collaboration with SICK, a global supplier of technology for sensor-based industrial applications, according to a release from Aeva.
The companies are collaborating to incorporate Aeva’s frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology into SICK’s portfolio of high accuracy, contactless sensors for industrial applications. These applications are reported to include distance and motion control for a variety of factory automation applications.
“We have been working closely with Aeva for several years and are pleased to see their FMCW technology mature for industrial sensing applications,” said SICK Senior Vice President of Research & Development Simon Brugger, Ph.D., in the release. “With its micron-accurate distance sensing at large stand-off distances and precise velocity detection capabilities, Aeva’s core technology provides great potential for opportunities to serve our customers in a variety of industrial applications where precision contactless sensing is core to their manufacturing automation and industrial processes.”
SICK’s technology for sensor-based industrial applications is used in factory, logistics, and process automation. The company’s presence around the globe includes its U.S. headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Under the collaboration, Aeva plans to provide its unique FMCW technology to SICK, including its Aeva CoreVision™ sensing module, along with digital signal- processing algorithms tuned for micrometer-precision detection at long standoff distances, as well as micrometer-per-second velocity measurements. Using Aeva’s FMCW technology, SICK sensors are expected to provide precise, contactless measurements on a variety of surfaces at flexible, short to long stand-off distances, regardless of their material, texture or color. They can be used across a wide variety of lighting conditions, the release stated.
“Every day, many of the world’s leading manufacturers and industrial companies rely on sensors from SICK to automate their factory production processes and ensure their products meet strict quality standards,” said Aeva Co-founder and CTO Mina Rezk, in the release. “This selection by SICK is a validation of the industry-leading capabilities, versatility, and the economies of scale for our FMCW technology. We are excited about the expansion of our collaboration and the potential for disrupting the multi-billion-dollar precision sensing market together.”
Aeva is working to “bring the next wave of perception to a broad range of applications, from automated driving to industrial robotics, security, consumer technology, and beyond,” the company stated in the release. Its sensing and perception technology is said to integrate “all key LiDAR components onto a silicon photonics chip in a compact module.”
“Aeva 4D LiDAR sensors uniquely detect instant velocity in addition to 3D position, allowing autonomous devices like vehicles and robots to make more intelligent and safe decisions,” the release stated.