AEye and MoveAWheeL have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore integrating AEye’s Apollo lidar sensor, which detects objects at distances of up to one kilometer, with MoveAWheeL’s acoustic-based road-surface friction sensing technology for ADAS and autonomous driving applications. The non-binding agreement, announced by the two companies, pairs long-range 3D perception with real-time friction-coefficient prediction. AEye, a Pleasanton, California-based lidar developer listed on Nasdaq as LIDR, said the collaboration targets adverse-weather scenarios such as rain, snow, and black ice.
Highlights
- Apollo is a software-defined 1550-nanometer lidar designed for behind-the-windshield integration, with detection range up to one kilometer
- MoveAWheeL’s sensor uses active acoustic sensing to estimate road-surface friction coefficients
- Planned workstreams include technical evaluation, target automotive customer engagements, and go-to-market opportunities in select geographies
- MOU is non-binding; any commercial relationship will require a separate definitive agreement
What the Collaboration Targets
The companies plan to evaluate how Apollo’s long-range 3D perception can pair with MoveAWheeL’s friction-coefficient prediction to give vehicles a more complete read on the driving environment. The stated goal is enabling ADAS and autonomous systems not only to detect and interpret objects ahead but also to interpret real-time road conditions that affect braking, steering, and vehicle control.
MoveAWheeL’s sensor generates predictive inputs that the companies say can inform acceleration, braking, and stability-control decisions. The two firms position the combination as a way to extend operational capability across a broader range of real-world and adverse-weather conditions, where ADAS and autonomous driving systems typically face their hardest cases.
The Apollo Sensor
Apollo is a software-defined 1550-nanometer lidar sensor capable of detecting objects at distances of up to one kilometer in a compact form factor designed for behind-the-windshield automotive integration. It is AEye’s flagship product, and the company has previously integrated Apollo with the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX platform for autonomous vehicle development.
AEye has also been active in all-weather autonomy research, a line of work that connects directly to the adverse-conditions focus of the MoveAWheeL collaboration.
MoveAWheeL’s Technology
MoveAWheeL, headquartered in Daejeon, South Korea, develops AI road-infrastructure solutions built on active acoustic sensor technology. Its portfolio includes road-surface detection sensors for infrastructure, the EG-Way road-information service, and road-surface prediction sensors for vehicle acceleration- and deceleration-control applications. The company also maintains offices in Seoul and Gwangju.
MOU Scope
Under 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. The agreement is non-binding and is intended to guide exploratory workstreams. The terms of any resulting commercial relationship will be set forth in a separate definitive agreement.
Executive Comments
“Physical AI depends on giving machines the ability to accurately perceive and understand the real world,” said Matt Fisch, Chairman and CEO of AEye. “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.”
“While Lidar provides the ‘eyes’ for a vehicle to see obstacles, MoveAWheeL provides the ‘tactile sense’ to feel the road,” said Dr. Min-Hyun Kim, Founder and CEO of MoveAWheeL. “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.”
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