AEye and MoveAWheeL have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore integrating AEye’s Apollo long-range LiDAR sensor with MoveAWheeL’s acoustic-based road-surface sensing technology for advanced driver-assistance (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD) applications.
The collaboration will focus on enabling vehicles to detect and interpret objects ahead, and also to better understand real-time road conditions that may affect braking, steering, and vehicle control. The companies intend to evaluate how Apollo’s long-range three-dimensional perception can pair with MoveAWheeL’s friction-coefficient prediction technology, particularly in challenging road conditions such as rain, snow, and black ice.
Apollo is a software-defined 1,550 nm lidar sensor capable of detecting objects at distances of up to 1 km, with a compact form factor designed for integration behind the vehicle windshield. MoveAWheeL’s road-surface prediction sensor uses active acoustic sensing to estimate friction coefficients of road surfaces, generating predictive inputs that can help inform acceleration, braking, and stability-control decisions.
Matt Fisch, chairman and CEO of AEye, said of the MoU, “Apollo was designed to deliver long-range, real-time 3D perception that helps systems see farther and react earlier in complex environments. By exploring the integration of Apollo with MoveAWheeL’s road-surface intelligence, we have the opportunity to create an even deeper understanding of the driving environment, particularly in the adverse conditions where advanced safety systems are needed most.”
Dr Min-Hyun Kim, founder and CEO of MoveAWheeL, added, “While LiDAR provides the eyes for a vehicle to see obstacles, MoveAWheeL provides the tactile sense to feel the road. By integrating our Physical AI with AEye’s long-range perception, we are creating a complete safety stack that remains robust even in the most treacherous weather conditions.”
Together, the companies say the technologies are intended to expand the operational capabilities of ADAS and AD systems across a broader range of real-world and adverse-weather driving conditions.
Under the terms of the MOU, AEye and MoveAWheeL plan to define technical evaluation activities, identify target automotive customer engagements, and explore go-to-market opportunities in select geographies.
