Mass-Production LiDAR Solution Unveiled at CES 2022
Applicable to Last-Mile Robots, Unmanned Ships, Smart Cities, and ITS
Exploring Entry into U.S. Smart City Market through Local Subsidiary
South Korean startup Vueron Technology is set to showcase a wide range of its LiDAR perception software for autonomous mobility at CES 2022, the world’s largest IT exhibition.
In an interview with The Elec on January 3, Jaekwang Kim, CEO of Vueron Technology, stated, “Vueron aims to provide reliable LiDAR solutions for not only the automotive industry but also last-mile robots, unmanned ships, smart cities, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). During CES 2022, we plan to engage in discussions with multiple global partners to explore and develop these markets.”
Jaekwang Kim, CEO of Vueron Technology, added, “As autonomous driving technology becomes more advanced, sensor fusion is essential to ensure safety. Vueron is committed to creating flawless LiDAR products with zero errors, and we are closely collaborating with numerous automakers and Tier 1 suppliers to achieve this goal.”
Vueron Technology is a startup founded in October 2019 by autonomous driving engineers, including CEO Jaekwang Kim, who previously worked for South Korean automotive companies. The company has been recognized for having world-class technology in LiDAR perception solutions, having even obtained a self-driving license last year using only a unidirectional LiDAR solution.
The following is a Q&A with Jaekwang Kim, CEO of Vueron Technology.
Q: Can you share the innovative technology Vueron Technology will showcase at CES 2022?
A: We plan to unveil our mass-production-ready LiDAR solution for autonomous driving. You’ll see various unmanned vehicles like last-mile robots and ships that operate on our autonomous driving solutions.
One of the key strengths of Vueron’s solution is that it can be applied directly to already-commercialized systems. It offers strong price competitiveness and exceptional stability, even in harsh environments. Additionally, our solution is not limited to automobiles; it can be expanded and applied in areas like factories and other industries.
Q: With the spread of the Omicron variant, some companies have canceled their participation in CES 2022. What were your goals for the event, despite these unforeseen challenges?
A: It’s unfortunate, as Vueron has been focused on B2B, and many of our clients are overseas. We had high expectations for CES as a global event. While some big tech companies have pulled out, Vueron will still send a team of around seven engineers to actively manage our booth. We view CES as a valuable opportunity to meet potential partners and enhance our brand awareness. Vueron also established a U.S. subsidiary in Silicon Valley last November. At CES, we’ve prepared a live demo where visitors can experience our autonomous LiDAR solution in action.
Q: The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which organizes CES, highlighted “Intelligent Automation” as one of the key trends for CES 2022. Autonomous driving seems to be a part of that trend. What are your thoughts?
A: The hardware (HW) sector has seen significant growth in the autonomous driving market. Currently, as competition among HW companies intensifies, the technology has reached a level of stability. Automakers and Tier 1 suppliers are actively preparing to integrate autonomous driving solutions.
Once HW technology stabilizes, the next focus will be on how effectively it can be utilized. Vueron has been receiving requests for technology testing and business collaboration from various companies. Although I can’t disclose specific names, we are closely working with major companies in Europe and the U.S. Many have expressed a desire to connect with Vueron during CES, and we plan to establish a subsidiary in Germany this year to expand our customer base.
Q: What sets Vueron Technology apart and has led to customer interest?
A: In the automotive industry, having a solid track record is crucial. While many companies offer autonomous driving hardware, it takes a proven solution to apply it effectively. Vueron’s solutions are not only reliable but also resilient enough to withstand harsh driving conditions. Additionally, our software can run on the chipsets used in real vehicles, which is a significant advantage.
For example, many commercialized autonomous vehicle systems rely on camera-based technology. As new systems are introduced, they need to be compatible with existing ones. Vueron’s solutions excel in such environments. Our team, from management to key staff, consists of engineers from the domestic automotive industry. This expertise, combined with our experience in obtaining a self-driving license using only a unidirectional LiDAR solution, gives us a strong competitive edge.
Q: So, Vueron Technology’s solution enhances the accuracy and reliability of existing LiDAR hardware, correct?
A: In simple terms, the data provided by LiDAR hardware consists of coordinate points (X, Y, Z) interpreted from light reflections. However, this raw data alone isn’t enough to make the necessary decisions or control actions for autonomous driving. A solution that can classify objects, including their speed and identification, is needed. This is where Vueron’s solution comes in. Essentially, autonomous driving requires hardware capable of delivering precise, noise-free coordinates and software—like Vueron’s—that can process this information into meaningful data and deliver it quickly.
Q: Many LiDAR hardware manufacturers are looking to expand into the smart city market by applying object recognition technology beyond the automotive industry. Does Vueron have any plans for entering new markets like smart cities or developing LiDAR hardware?
A: Vueron is focusing on developing software-based solutions rather than LiDAR hardware. There are already many companies making LiDAR hardware, and we don’t see much merit in entering that market. Vueron’s strength lies in software, and our top priority is creating a robust LiDAR ecosystem in collaboration with our hardware partners. We’ve tested various existing LiDAR hardware and formed partnerships with major LiDAR manufacturers. Our strategy will adapt as the market evolves.
Regarding new market entry, we’ve received collaboration proposals not only in the security sector but also in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). There is significant demand from the U.S. government, particularly for ITS solutions. While we established our U.S. subsidiary last year, our focus is on the ITS and smart city markets rather than just the automotive sector. We see smart cities as an essential infrastructure for autonomous driving, and our software solutions are easily updatable through OTA (Over-The-Air), offering a significant advantage in management and scalability.
Q: Returning to the automotive market, autonomous vehicles are a major theme of CES 2022. Last year, several countries strengthened their carbon-neutrality policies, and major automakers pledged to accelerate their transition to eco-friendly vehicles. Can you tell us about the companies Vueron is closely collaborating with?
A: While I can’t share specific company names yet, I can tell you that in the U.S., we’ve dispatched engineers to automakers to demonstrate and validate Vueron’s solutions. We’ve also formed partnerships with Tier 1 suppliers to jointly develop autonomous driving platform solutions with global companies. The LiDAR market is just starting to commercialize, with Hyundai incorporating Valeo systems into its Level 3 autonomous vehicles. We expect the market for fixed LiDAR-based autonomous vehicles to grow significantly in 2022 and 2023.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
A: Vueron believes the time for LiDAR to be used in real-world applications is just around the corner. Our goal is to provide reliable LiDAR solutions not only for automobiles but also for last-mile robots, unmanned ships, smart cities, and ITS. Through CES 2022, we aim to engage with various global partners to pioneer these markets. Vueron is positioned to be a key partner in delivering the fastest and safest autonomous mobility solutions in the upcoming autonomous driving era.
Source : The Elec (https://www.thelec.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=15630)
