Washington Research Foundation (WRF) has awarded a $232,171 phase 2 technology commercialization grant to support research led by Mo Li, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Washington (UW). Li is developing a novel beam-steering technology as a smaller, more robust and less expensive alternative to conventional mechanical LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology for a range of applications that could include automobiles, drones and robotics.
Automation is improving safety and efficiency in many industries. Self-driving cars can be designed to reduce accidents and traffic congestion, warehouse robotics can streamline logistics, and smart city infrastructure enhances urban living through intelligent resource management. But these automated advancements rely on machines having the ability to sense and respond to objects in their environment with precision and reliability. LiDAR achieves this by scanning its surroundings with laser pulses to create detailed, three-dimensional maps to inform a system or vehicle’s response. Current LiDAR technology is effective for many uses, but its bulk and cost limit its accessibility and range of potential applications.
