AEye and MoveAWheeL have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to explore integrating long-range lidar and road-surface friction sensing technologies for advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving applications.
The companies said the collaboration would combine AEye’s Apollo lidar sensor with MoveAWheeL’s acoustic-based road-surface friction sensing technology to improve vehicle awareness and performance in adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow and black ice.
AEye, which is headquartered in Pleasanton and listed on Nasdaq under the ticker LIDR, said the planned work would focus on pairing long-range 3D perception with real-time friction-coefficient prediction.
Apollo is a software-defined 1550-nanometer lidar sensor designed for behind-the-windshield automotive integration and is capable of detecting objects at distances of up to one kilometer, according to the company.
MoveAWheeL’s technology uses active acoustic sensing to estimate road-surface friction coefficients, generating predictive data intended to support braking, steering, acceleration and vehicle stability control systems.
The companies said they plan to evaluate how the combined technologies could improve the ability of ADAS and autonomous systems to interpret both surrounding traffic conditions and road-surface conditions in real time.
The collaboration is also expected to include technical evaluations, discussions with automotive customers and exploration of potential go-to-market opportunities in selected regions.
The memorandum of understanding is non-binding, and any future commercial arrangement would require a separate definitive agreement, the companies said.
“Physical AI depends on giving machines the ability to accurately perceive and understand the real world,” said Matt Fisch, chairman and chief executive of AEye.
“Apollo was designed to deliver long-range, real-time 3D perception that helps systems see farther and react earlier in complex environments,” Fisch said. “By exploring the integration of Apollo with MoveAWheeL’s road-surface intelligence, we have the opportunity to create an even deeper understanding of the driving environment, particularly in the adverse conditions where advanced safety systems are needed most.”
Min-Hyun Kim, founder and chief executive of MoveAWheeL, said the technologies could complement each other in vehicle safety systems.
“While Lidar provides the ‘eyes’ for a vehicle to see obstacles, MoveAWheeL provides the ‘tactile sense’ to feel the road,” Kim said. “By integrating our Physical AI with AEye’s long-range perception, we are creating a complete safety stack that remains robust even in the most treacherous weather conditions.”
MoveAWheeL is headquartered in Daejeon and develops road-infrastructure and road-surface prediction technologies based on acoustic sensor systems.