Starting from this month, Pioneer will start shipping three types and four models of its 3D-LiDAR sensors, each providing a different measuring distance.

3D-LiDAR is a system that uses laser light to evaluate its surroundings in three dimensions, which can detect detailed objects at any time of the day, and measure the distance from detected objects accurately. The detection performance of 3D-LiDAR will surely be an essential component for achieving autonomous driving at Level 3 and above.

The 3D-LiDAR sensors that will start shipping adopt the raster scanning method using MEMS mirrors without a motor drive unit.

The 3D-LiDAR system completely covers all directions with four types of sensors: telescopic LiDAR to quickly detects obstacles on the road in front of the car, medium-range LiDAR to detect vehicles and pedestrians around the car, and short-range LiDAR/ wide-view LiDAR to detect surrounding buildings and calculate the vehicle's position. The system is also expected to be used in conjunction with existing systems, such as the millimeter wave radar and cameras, to meet various autonomous driving needs.

Pioneer applies digital signal processing technologies it has developed in terrestrial tuners in order to achieve high precision and stability. This enables the detection of glossy black objects, which is difficult with conventional LiDAR systems, as well as reliable detection in rainy and snowy weather.

The measuring data of LiDAR can also be linked with maps in order to accurately estimate the vehicle's position, create or update maps.