Lumotive Solid-State LiDAR
Published:
Solid-State LiDAR Technology
LiDAR systems are essential for autonomous vehicles, AR headsets, and 3D mapping. However, traditional mechanical scanners face challenges regarding cost, durability, and size. Our research focuses on solid-state beam steering to address these limitations.
At Lumotive, we developed row/column-addressable liquid crystal metasurfaces to create phased arrays capable of electrically steering near-infrared laser pulses across >120° with sub-millidegree precision, using low voltage control. This approach enables compact, reliable, and scalable LiDAR systems.
Technical Innovations
High-Density Phase Shifters ― Our cross-bar electrode architecture (US 11,487,183) integrates >10,000 individually controllable phase elements within a 3 mm aperture. This allows for programmable beam patterns without moving parts.
CMOS-Compatible Operation ― We achieve >2π phase modulation at <4 V peak-to-peak by integrating thin nematic LC layers with high-index metasurface resonators, making the technology compatible with standard CMOS drive electronics.
Holographic Beam Forming ― Our system utilizes dynamic holographic beam forming to create multiple beams simultaneously, enabling flash illumination and adaptive region-of-interest scanning at >10 kHz update rates.
Wafer-Scale Manufacturing ― Liquid crystal metasurfaces are fabricated using standard semiconductor lithography, offering a scalable manufacturing path compared to MEMS or mechanical systems.
Product Development
This technology was translated into a product at Lumotive. The LC-metasurface LiDAR offers a rugged, low-power, and cost-effective solution for beam steering in autonomous systems and AR/VR applications.