Aeva, a leader in next-generation sensing and perception systems, and Wideye, a division of AGC Group specializing in advanced glass solutions for optical sensor integration, have announced a groundbreaking collaboration. Together, they are set to showcase the industry’s first fully functional Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) in-cabin 4D LiDAR solution for passenger vehicles at CES 2025. This innovative integration combines Aeva’s cutting-edge LiDAR technology with Wideye’s custom-formulated glass solutions, offering a transformative approach to vehicle safety, automation, and design.
Revolutionizing In-Cabin LiDAR Technology
The core of this joint innovation is the integration of Aeva’s Atlas™ 4D LiDAR sensor behind the windshield of passenger vehicles. Unlike traditional placements, this high-mounting position offers several advantages, including enhanced long-range sensing and a sleek, aerodynamic design. Wideye’s custom glass is specially formulated to work seamlessly with Aeva’s unique FMCW wavelength, ensuring increased infrared light transmission without compromising the quality of the LiDAR point cloud data.
Wideye’s glass technology boasts high infrared transparency and near-zero absorption, allowing the LiDAR sensor to operate at its full detection range. This enables precise object detection and mapping capabilities, even in challenging lighting or weather conditions. Additionally, housing the sensor behind the windshield provides protection from external elements such as dust, rain, and debris, while also making it easier to clean potential obstructions. Inside the vehicle, the compact design of the sensor ensures minimal impact on road visibility, while its low power consumption and passive cooling features contribute to a quieter and more comfortable cabin environment.
Meeting the Demands of Next-Generation Vehicles
As the automotive industry moves toward higher levels of vehicle autonomy and safety, the integration of LiDAR technology has become increasingly essential. According to Gaetan Friart, CEO of Wideye by AGC, this collaboration addresses the stringent requirements of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) without compromising vehicle aesthetics or performance.
“As OEMs look to enable higher levels of safety and automation by incorporating LiDAR technology, we see the unique combination of Aeva’s powerful 4D LiDAR with the Wideye windshield as a solution ready to meet their needs,” said Friart. “Placing the LiDAR behind the Wideye windshield, alongside other in-cabin optical sensors, meets the demanding standards for next-generation vehicle autonomy while maintaining a seamless vehicle design.”
Mina Rezk, Co-Founder and CTO at Aeva, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the growing importance of LiDAR in modern vehicles. “LiDAR is quickly becoming a must-have sensing technology to enable higher levels of vehicle automation, including highway-speed driving,” said Rezk. “This collaboration with AGC demonstrates that automakers can have the best of both worlds – a seamless and smooth industrial design powered by industry-leading 4D LiDAR from Aeva, without compromising on performance or safety.
Advantages of FMCW 4D LiDAR
Aeva’s proprietary FMCW LiDAR technology offers several advantages over traditional time-of-flight LiDAR systems. FMCW LiDAR measures the velocity of objects in addition to their position, providing four-dimensional perception that is crucial for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving. By directly measuring the Doppler shift of objects, Aeva’s technology can detect and track dynamic objects with unparalleled accuracy, even at long ranges.
The ability to measure velocity allows for more robust object classification and tracking, enabling safer and more reliable autonomous driving systems. Moreover, Aeva’s FMCW technology operates at a unique wavelength that is unaffected by interference from sunlight or other LiDAR systems, ensuring consistent performance in a wide range of environments.
Enhanced Design and Performance
The placement of the LiDAR sensor behind Wideye’s advanced windshield not only enhances the vehicle’s functionality but also its design. The high mounting position provides an unobstructed field of view, allowing the sensor to detect objects and obstacles at greater distances. Meanwhile, the seamless integration of the sensor into the vehicle’s architecture ensures that automakers can maintain sleek and aerodynamic designs without compromising on sensor performance.
The protective housing of the sensor further extends its durability and reliability. By shielding the LiDAR from external elements, the system can perform optimally in diverse conditions, from heavy rain to dusty roads. Additionally, the in-cabin placement allows for easy maintenance and cleaning, reducing downtime and ensuring consistent performance over the vehicle’s lifespan.
A Game-Changer for Vehicle Automation
The collaboration between Aeva and Wideye marks a significant milestone in the evolution of vehicle automation and safety. The integration of FMCW LiDAR technology into the cabin of passenger vehicles paves the way for a new era of advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving capabilities. By combining Aeva’s state-of-the-art LiDAR technology with Wideye’s expertise in optical glass solutions, the partnership offers a comprehensive solution that meets the demands of both automakers and consumers.
CES 2025 Showcase
This revolutionary in-cabin 4D LiDAR solution will be on display at CES 2025 in Aeva’s booth #6900, located in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to see firsthand how this innovative technology integrates seamlessly into modern vehicle designs while delivering unparalleled performance and safety benefits.
About Wideye by AGC
Wideye® by AGC is a corporate scaleup focused on sensor integration solutions for the automotive industry. Launched by Tokyo-based AGC Group, a global leader in flat, automotive, and display glass, chemicals, and other high-tech materials, Wideye specializes in enabling the deployment of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles. Since its inception in 2016, Wideye has been at the forefront of innovation, working closely with automakers to develop glazing solutions that meet the demands of next-generation vehicles.
Aeva
Founded in 2017, Aeva is a pioneer in next-generation sensing and perception systems. The company’s unique 4D LiDAR technology is designed to enable safer and more autonomous vehicles by providing superior object detection, tracking, and velocity measurement capabilities. Aeva’s technology has been adopted by leading automakers and technology companies, making it a key player in the development of advanced vehicle automation solutions.
The partnership between Aeva and Wideye represents a significant leap forward in the integration of LiDAR technology into passenger vehicles. By combining Aeva’s advanced 4D LiDAR sensors with Wideye’s innovative glass solutions, this collaboration delivers a high-performance, in-cabin LiDAR system that meets the needs of both automakers and consumers. As the automotive industry continues to push the boundaries of safety and automation, this groundbreaking solution is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of transportation.
