Lidars from Luminar will be integrated into the new Volvo ES90, which is slated for production this year. This will be the second Volvo car model to feature Luminar’s technology, following the successful launch of the auto maker’s flagship SUV, the Volvo EX90, which is now being delivered to customers.
“We’re proud to be selected in conjunction with industry leaders like Nvidia for a second global automotive launch as Volvo Cars expands its new line-up,” said Austin Russell, the founder and CEO of Luminar. “The Volvo ES90 will help scale our safety-critical technology at a time when consumers, auto makers and regulators alike are demanding the most advanced sensing capabilities in their roadmaps – and this is just the beginning.”
“The Iris lidar on ES90 will complement an advanced set of sensors and enable exceptional perception to help keep everyone safe inside and around the car,” said Alwin Bakkenes, head of software engineering at Volvo Cars. “The selection of the Iris lidar builds on our partnership with Luminar and our shared commitment to automotive safety.”
Coupled with advanced sensors such as radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors, lidar continuously scans the environment in front of the car, enabling an accurate and high-precision estimate of the shape and size of objects in three-dimensions, helping to expand the safety margins.
Unlike a camera, Luminar’s lidar technology does not rely on light, which makes it especially superior at night, when a disproportionate number of accidents occur. It can detect pedestrians at up to 250m away and something as small and dark as a tire on a black road 120m ahead, all while traveling at highway speeds.
As a pioneer and leader in safety, Volvo Cars is introducing advanced driver assistance features using a state-of-the-art sensor set including lidar on ES90. The auto makers said that expanding the partnership to integrate lidar technology into a product that redefines the large premium Volvo car for the electrical age will expose a new category of car buyer to this advanced technology.
The Volvo ES90 will use the latest SPA2 platform that underpins the Volvo EX90, with Luminar’s lidar seamlessly integrated into the roofline of the vehicle. Coupled with other advanced sensors such as radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors, the lidar on the Volvo ES90 will reportedly improve safety for everyone in and around the car.