THE LiDAR (light wave detection and ranging) is one of the most important sensor technologies for the operation of advanced driver assistance systems.

Stellantis invests in Steerlight technology

Stellantis Ventures, the venture fund of the group Stellantisjust announced a new investment in a French company SteerLight, while raising funds in the amount of at least 3.2 million euros. Based in Grenoble, this startup is the origin of a a new generation of high-performance LiDAR sensors.
“Identifying disruptive technologies that can deliver significant value to our customers at scale is a key part of the Dare Forward 2030 initiatives”Ned Couric, chief engineering and technology officer of Stellantis, said on the occasion: “Improving automated driving systems remains a top priority for Stellantis. SteerLight’s innovative advances can help improve and expand ADAS applications”.
This technology should allow to increase productivity advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) of Stellantis brand vehicles and contribute to new achievements in terms of vision autonomous driving.

New generation LiDAR sensors

Steerlight LiDAR uses silicon photonics, which combines a versatile semiconductor material with photographic speed to capture the environment in three dimensions with optimized resolution and accuracy. This innovative technology is also expected cheaperwith a more favorable mass production cost than LiDAR systems currently available on the market.
SteerLight, created by the French technology center CEA-Leti, uses frequency-modulated continuous LiDAR (FMCW) based on silicon photonics and which integrates a system on an electronic chip. The system provides maximum flexibility for automotive engineers, demonstrating reliability (no moving parts) and compactness.
It overcomes the problems associated with the integration of LiDAR technology into vehicles: the size of the components and the high cost. FMCW technology allows to provide ultra-precise speed and depth data, as well as resist obstacles created by the environment and other users. Basic qualities for automotive use.

Since its inception in 2022, Stellantis Ventures has invested in 12 startups and a venture capital fund dedicated to mobility. This initiative promotes development advanced technologies for future generations of cars of the Stellantis group.