LBS

Ultra-wideband micro-location technology gains traction

From AR games to automatic car locks, pinpointing the location of devices is becoming increasingly important in modern life. The difference being that the precision we demand is far beyond the reach of GPS or Bluetooth. With Ultra-Wideband (UWB) microlocation technology from imec, the location of objects in a space can be pinpointed in minute detail.

Imec is a research and innovation center in nanoelectronics and digital technology. It is part of the FiRa consortium, which is committed to the development and application of user experiences with UWB technologies. Among other things, imec developed a UWB radio chip that can be massproduced at low cost. www.imec-int.com 

New deployment ready LiDAR perception system

Seoul Robotics has announced the commercial launch of Voyage, a plug-and-play LiDAR perception system. This all-in-one deployment kit — equipped with the company’s proprietary software SENSR2, LiDAR sensors, and a computer— allows customers to simply unbox the product, plug it in, and instantaneously start seeing real-time results. The company’s sensor-agnostic perception software is available worldwide and is currently deployed by top-tier organizations such as BMW, MercedesBenz, Chattanooga Department of Transportation, Emart, among many others. www.seoulrobotics.org 

VHB’s DataTripper tool

VHB has announced that the development of their latest transportation technologyenabled tool, DataTripper, will provide transit agencies with a user-friendly web application for analyzing and utilizing data. The need stems from the desire to create a faster, easier way to interpret transportation data that has traditionally been cumbersome and fragmented, requiring more time and resources to make connections and find trends.

DataTripper takes a fraction of the time associated with traditional travel data analysis methods and allows users to explore the spatial dimensions of data with the click of a button. This customizable web-based tool uses interactive maps and empowers agencies to make data-informed decisions about future transportation projects, ridership safety, and where to prioritize funding moving forward. www.vhb.com 

Integrating long-range LiDAR tech into autonomous solution

Continental is integrating the longrange LiDAR technology into its full sensor stack solution to create the first full stack automotive-grade system for Level 2+ up to Level 4 automated and autonomous driving applications. The solution based on AEye’s LiDAR technology is a substantial part of the sensor setup for high level automation systems. It complements the radar, camera and ultrasonic technologies in Continental’s sensor system, and enables a reliable and redundant Automated Driving platform that can handle complex, diverse traffic scenarios and adverse weather conditions. www.continental.com 

AI-based auto insurance

TomTom and Loop has announced a new multiyear agreement in which TomTom will provide Loop with its speed profiles, traffic stats and maps to help Loop customers make safer driving choices and receive insurance rates that are based on fair, bias-free criteria.

Loop will use TomTom’s maps and traffic data to better understand driver behavior and road risk. Rather than rely on a driver’s credit and other financial proxies such as homeownership and educational attainment, this AI-driven approach will enable Loop to establish fairer and more transparent auto insurance prices. www.tomtom.com