Lasai Technologies, a global leader in Lidar solutions, and CRATUS, a Lidar systems software solutions integrator, today announced a strategic alliance to develop an autonomous warehouse solution using lasai's breakthrough security level 3D Lidar QT128. CRATUS has selected QT128 as the primary sensor in its new Lidar awareness suite for AGVs and AMRs.
Autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) have been used for years in warehouses and manufacturing plants for a variety of material handling tasks. To date, most of these systems use two-dimensional laser scanning devices that provide only a limited amount of perceptual data. Hesai's safety Grade QT model features 128 laser channels, providing a host of new features for AGVs and automated forklifts.
The QT128 has a 360-degree horizontal field of view, compared with 270 degrees or less for conventional devices. This completely eliminates the blind spots of AGVs and avoids the safety risks brought by "invisibility". The QT128 is also certified by TUV Rheinland as ISO 26262 ASIL B -- Performance Grade D functional safety standard. A functional safety certified lidar can detect potential risks in electronic systems, alert the autopilot system and initiate protection. This allows AGVs to operate safely and efficiently.
The QT128 has 128 laser channels, compared with the two-dimensional lidar, which usually has only one laser channel. This not only provides additional security redundancy, but also enables rich 3D sensing data. 2D lidar equipped AGVs will lose visibility in the event that a single laser fails or is interfered by strong sources such as sunlight. However, with 128 laser channels, the QT128 can operate consistently and efficiently even in complex environments. This enhanced awareness allows for a variety of AGV applications, including outdoor operations and interwarehouse transfers.
"We are making a revolution inside the warehouse. These facilities are increasingly automated and efficient. By leveraging the recently secured QT128, we are now able to release a range of new software products that will enhance the capabilities and overall security of these solutions in the material handling space." Zeki Gunay, CEO of CRATUS.
"He Sai is eager to support CRATUS in developing secure level AGVs and AMR applications. We are pleased that CRATUS sees QT as a truly revolutionary product in this market. No other Lidar sensor can provide such accurate data to the sensing stack and provide the performance grade D safety rating required by the industry. We see CRATUS as a very capable partner and first mover in this space, "said Bob in den Bosch, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales at Hessey.
Together, CRATUS and Hesai will release a series of drivers, middleware and terminal solutions centered on the QT128 Lidar sensor. These solutions will accelerate the adoption of 3D lidar in material handling and open up new possibilities for robotic applications in warehouses.
About Hesai
Hesai Technology is a global leader in three-dimensional light detection and ranging (LiDAR) solutions. The company's LiDAR products enable a wide range of passenger and commercial vehicle applications through advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicle fleets (autonomous mobility). Hesse's technology also enables robotic applications, such as last-mile delivery robots and restricted area logistics robots. By December 31, 2022, He Sai had shipped more than 100,000 lidar units. The company's commercially proven solutions are backed by superior R&D capabilities in optics, mechanics, electronics and software. Hesai integrates LiDAR design with in-house manufacturing processes to promote rapid product development, consistent quality and affordability while ensuring high performance. He Sai has established strong partnerships with the world's leading automotive original equipment manufacturers, autonomous vehicle and robotics companies, covering more than 90 cities in 40 countries/regions.
About CRATUS
CRATUS Technology, Inc. is an engineering innovation and systems integration company based in SAN Jose, California, offering a broad range of products and services with LiDAR at the center. Our software solutions include machine vision for object classification and collision avoidance, as well as real-time location services (RTLS) for applications where reliability, safety, security and operational intelligence are important. For AI, machine vision or machine learning development, we provide differentiated data annotation solutions. With respect to hardware, we represent the best, first or only products from established manufacturers in their respective categories. We also work with customers to develop custom sensing sensors and sensing systems for desired applications.