Aeva to supply 4D lidar for Airbus UpNext taxiing automation project
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Aeva Technologies in Mountain View, Calif. announced it has been selected by Airbus UpNext, a subsidiary of European aerospace giant Airbus, to provide its 4D lidar technology for the Optimate smart automation demonstrator project.
The Optimate project is focused on supporting pilots through enhanced decision-making tools, using advanced sensing technologies to improve safety and automation. Aeva’s lidar systems, which use Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) technology, are being tested on an Airbus A350-1000 flight test aircraft and an electric truck during taxi operations at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport and another international airport.
Unlike traditional lidar, Aeva’s 4D sensors measure both distance and velocity for every point in view, delivering high-resolution data at ranges of up to 500 meters. This capability is especially relevant for complex airport environments, where precision sensing is needed on runways, taxiways, and ramps.
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"Airbus has a proven history of innovation and introducing next-generation technologies to the air transportation industry at scale," said Soroush Salehian, co-founder and CEO of Aeva. "This collaboration is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the transformative potential of Aeva’s 4D lidar technology in the aviation industry."
Airbus UpNext was created to accelerate the development and testing of advanced aviation technologies. The Optimate program integrates multiple sensor systems to evaluate their potential to enhance pilot assistance, especially during ground operations.
Aeva Technologies develops advanced perception systems for applications ranging from autonomous vehicles and industrial automation to aerospace and robotics.
