Terahertz Radar Poised to Revolutionize Automotive Safety, Offering Lidar-Like Resolution Without the Cost
BOSTON – A new radar technology utilizing terahertz frequencies is emerging as a potential game-changer for automotive safety, promising the high resolution of lidar systems without the associated expense and mechanical complexity. Developed by startup Teradar, the solid-state sensor generates detailed point clouds – similar to lidar – by emitting and analyzing terahertz waves.
Unlike traditional lidar, which relies on moving parts prone to wear and tear, Teradar’s system is entirely solid-state. “It’s a sensor that [has] the simplicity of radar and the resolution of lidar,” explains Teradar CEO Carey. The company is currently collaborating with five automakers to explore integration possibilities,with the technology potentially serving as a replacement or supplement to existing radar and lidar systems.
The advancement is fueled by recent progress in silicon transistor technology, enabling higher frequency devices and improved circuit efficiency, output power, and receiver sensitivity. “These improvements have led to boosts in the efficiency of terahertz circuits, their output power, and the sensitivity of receivers,” notes Ruonan Han, a professor of electrical engineering at MIT specializing in terahertz electronics.Improved chip packaging also plays a crucial role in efficiently transmitting the radiation.
However, challenges remain. Han cautions that achieving the performance necessary for reliable self-driving, especially at longer distances, is “pretty challenging.” his lab at MIT is currently focused on developing low-power terahertz sensors for robotics and drones, and has also spun out Cambridge Terahertz, a startup focused on security applications leveraging terahertz’s ability to see through materials.
Teradar also envisions applications beyond the automotive sector. While terahertz frequencies don’t penetrate skin, the technology can differentiate between healthy and cancerous tissue, potentially aiding in melanoma detection.
When asked about the recent incident involving a Waymo self-driving car and a cat in San Francisco,Carey stated,”It probably woudl have saved the cat.”