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Luminar has unveiled Sentinel, a comprehensive software suite designed to enhance safety and autonomy in vehicles. The Sentinel suite includes advanced features such as Proactive Safety, Perception, 3D Mapping and Localization, Simulation, and Dynamic LiDAR. It is set to ship to leading automakers beginning in Q3, aiming to integrate cutting-edge technology into consumer production vehicles.
Key Highlights:
- Sentinel offers a full-stack solution for advanced safety and autonomous functionality.
- Features include: Proactive Safety, Perception, 3D Mapping and Localization, Simulation, and Dynamic LiDAR.
- Developed by: Luminar’s in-house software teams in Silicon Valley and Munich, with support from partners like Scale AI, Applied Intuition, and Civil Maps.
- Safety impact: Swiss Re study shows up to 40% reduction in accident severity with Luminar’s technology.
- Insurance benefits: Potential savings and a new packaged insurance product.
- Market launch: First shipments to top automakers scheduled for Q3.
- Compatibility: Suitable for both combustion engine and electric vehicles.
The Sentinel suite leverages Luminar’s LiDAR hardware and AI-based software, primarily developed in-house, with contributions from partners like Scale AI, Applied Intuition, and Civil Maps. Unlike other full-stack autonomous solutions focused on driverless robo-taxis, Sentinel is designed to provide automakers with the tools necessary to implement next-generation safety and autonomous capabilities in consumer vehicles. This strategic launch aims to integrate Sentinel into automaker software development efforts.
A comprehensive research report by Swiss Re, one of the world’s largest reinsurance companies, highlighted that vehicles equipped with Luminar LiDAR and a development version of Sentinel software showed significant safety improvements, with up to a 40% reduction in accident severity. Luminar aims to monetize these benefits by launching its own packaged insurance product, benefiting automakers and end consumers alike.
Austin Russell, Founder and CEO of Luminar, stated, “People know Luminar for pioneering LiDAR systems for global production vehicles, but since 2017 we have also been building next-generation AI-based software for improved safety and autonomy. The majority of major automakers don’t currently have a software solution for next-generation assisted and autonomous driving systems. Our launch couldn’t be more timely with the new NHTSA mandate for next-generation safety in all US production vehicles by 2029, and as of today, we’re the only solution we know of that meets all of these requirements. This gives us the opportunity to dramatically expand our content value per vehicle in a high-margin capacity.”
Sentinel was first introduced as a prototype in 2021 and has since been significantly enhanced. The software included in the current kits is continuously being developed, with the goal of being evaluated by automakers and technology companies for future integration into advanced safety and autonomous driving programs. Sentinel is designed to be compatible with a wide range of consumer and commercial vehicles, including those with combustion engines and electric drive trains.
Automakers interested in Sentinel and the evaluation program can find more information at Luminar Technology.
About Luminar
Luminar is a global automotive technology company leading the way in vehicle safety and autonomy. Over the past decade, Luminar has developed a sophisticated hardware and software/AI platform, supporting over 50 industry partners, including most global automotive OEMs. With consumer vehicle programs in collaboration with Volvo Cars and Mercedes-Benz, and technology partnerships with NVIDIA and Mobileye, Luminar is set to be the first automotive technology company to enable next-generation safety and autonomous capabilities for global production vehicles. For more information, please visit Luminar Technology.
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