Pros
I worked with incredible scientist in the field of single-photon detection6 (SPAD) with startup experience. Over the last five years, a multi-disciplinary team has been built: analog and digital circuit designers, laser specialists. ame-changing technology progress at EPFL. We developed a circuit measuring distances with a “Flash LiDAR”, just as you perform flash photography with your phone, We created a demonstrator functional in a city street environment that would reduce vehicle collisions with cyclists and pedestrians as well as enable worker safety in industrial environments .
Cons
A long effort was necessary to improve the full pipeline, from detection sensors (LiDARs, cameras, radars) to processing steps (scene segmentation, object tracking, cloud maps…). Over 50 companies including CMOS foundries and VCSEL lasers also required more than five years to supply manufacturing and adjacent illumination components. We decided to join forces with larger companies.