Former Apple engineers have achieved breakthroughs in laser radar technology to solve the problem of automatic driving

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The startup Aev decided to abandon the narrow scanning beam and use continuous light waves, claiming that more data on the motion details and speed of the object has been obtained through this new breakthrough technology.

The startup, founded by two former Apple engineers, is working on a new laser radar technology designed to address many of the shortcomings of current scanning beam systems (commonly used in autonomous driving).

Aeva's Lidar system does not rely on a narrow laser beam that must constantly move, but instead emits a wide continuous beam.

According to a report in The New York Times, the method provides a more detailed image and increases the tracking speed, basically bridging the gap between the different forms of data captured by current laser (radar) systems and radar systems.

Former Apple engineer Soroush Salehian and Mina Rezk co-founded Aeva. They have all worked in Apple's "secret project." Although the two did not elaborate on their specific responsibilities at Apple, their current focus is deeply related to Apple's self-driving cars.

Lidar is just one of many sensors used in autonomous vehicles, but as the technology moves from the lab to the assembly line, it also faces practical challenges. The most obvious is the high price.

Perhaps the most important issue is that GM's first "mass production" version of the fully automated car seems to be equipped with a $40,000 lidar sensor.

Several companies are developing cheaper lidar systems, but some experts believe that no single sensor can show a sensor that can effectively operate on actual production costs and high enough distance and resolution to effectively Run on the highway.

Former Apple engineer Rezk claims that Aeva's Lidar system offers higher range and resolution, improved performance in inclement weather, reduced interference from nearby lidar equipment, and better recognition of reflectors.

Aeva is one of several smaller start-ups that wants to compete with established suppliers as automakers plan to start selling the first highly automated cars in the next few years.