Mobileye is shutting down its light detection and ranging (LiDAR) research team, noting that the technology has fallen out of favor in the automated driver assistance space, though to the keen observer it may be looking for some way to save money.
Mobileye Announces New Lidar Chip Designed for Autonomous Vehicles
The Israeli self-driving technology player today announced plans to end internal development of next-generation LiDAR technology, eliminating around 100 jobs in the process. Mobileye cited a variety of reasons for the decision, including "LiDAR is less important to our roadmap for self-driving systems".
Instead, Mobileye said it will focus on the "significant advances" made on its EyeQ6-based computer vision perception system, the "increased clarity of performance of our internally developed imaging radar" and increasingly cheaper third-party LiDAR kits to fill the gaps.
The decision to stop work on the LiDAR system "has no bearing on Mobileye's commitment to the development of our in-house imaging radar, which … is expected to enter production next year," the team said. "In terms of Mobileye's internal sensor development, imaging radar is a strategic priority."
