As the battle amongst optical sensor technology providers rages on in the self-driving car market, general trends are starting to form within the industry. Laser-based Lidar systems (light detection and ranging) have historically been viewed as the gold standard for mapping resolution, but they are also known to be far more expensive than competing technologies. Yet the tech is evolving, according to Jeff Wuendry (pictured), marketing manager at Velodyne LiDAR Inc.

“Currently, there are basically three technologies that are in the running: laser, radar and cameras. Where are there areas for innovation? Where are there opportunities for cost reduction? What is the application? From that perspective, there are a lot of things to happen within laser,” Wuendry said.

Wuendry Jeff Frick (@JeffFrick), host of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s mobile livestreaming studio, during this year’s Auto Tech Council – Innovation in Motion event in Milpitas, California. They discussed the factors driving down laser tech costs. (* Disclosure below)

Driving costs down in laser technology

One of the more recent developments in laser technology driving the cost of deployment down is the advent of solid-state MEMS-based (microelectromechanical systems) laser technology, according to Wuendry.

“There is a general trend for the innovation portion of that laser component, which is to move to solid state — eliminate moving parts, lower the cost down. I think as those products are getting released, I think you will see more adoption that occurs,” Wuendry said.

As the industry and market continue to ask for extended sensor ranges and lower costs, Velodyne needs to ensure its laser technology remains competitive not only with other sensor technologies, but also within lower-cost laser options, Wuendry explained.

“We continue to invest and develop new products. It’s fun for us. And seeing what those applications look like is fun to watch and be a part of,” Wuendry concluded.

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of Auto Tech Council – Innovation in Motion. (* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for Auto Tech Council – Innovation in Motion. Neither Western Digital Corp., the event sponsor, nor other sponsors have editorial influence on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE