Imaging Radars for AVs

Echodyne has introduced EchoDrive, the company's high-resolution imaging radar for autonomous vehicles.

Built on MESA technology, EchoDrive offers a new type of sensor functionality that greatly enhances machine perception, Echodyne says. The company adds that EchoDrive delivers what it describes as "unprecedented real-time control" over the radar's interrogation of the drive scene, which enables a "richer form" of machine perception.

To optimize measurement "moment by moment" through constantly evolving environments, conditions, and scenarios, the radar's dynamic control API utilizes knowledge in the AV stack such as HD maps, V2X, and other sensor data. One example of this is EchoDrive being able to smoothly transition from normal drive scene to work zone heightened awareness, increase frame rate to secure an unprotected left turn, or zoom in on a tunnel approach.

By elevating the cognitive functions of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) in the AV stack, this "dynamic tasking" of a high-performance analog beam-steering radar greatly enhances safety.