Reader Response Draft #3

 The website “Luminar Iris” from Autonomoustuff (n.d) showcases the Luminar Technologies Iris lidar sensor. The lidar sensor allows an autonomous vehicle to “see” around them, in 3D images, in any weather condition(Ohnsman, 2021). The main features of the sensor include long-range, high image resolution that allows the sensor to detect small objects, such as wires, from a distance and consistent performance even in inclement weather(Autonomoustuff, n.d.). The specifications include its 600 meters maximum range, a 120-degree field of view, more than 300 points per square degree of camera-like resolution, configurable scan settings, and an IP69k dust and water resistance rating(Autonomoustuff, n.d.). The Iris lidar sensor by Luminar Technologies also boasts a high degree of safety as Mercedes Benz, an automotive company known for its focus on safety, has just signed a multi-billion dollar deal with Luminar Technologies to use the Iris lidar sensors in their future autonomous vehicles(Optics, 2023). With its further range, lower cost and higher accuracy, the Luminar Iris lidar sensor is an improvement compared to the Velodyne VLS-128 lidar sensor. 

 

One of the superior features is the range. The Luminar Iris lidar sensor boasts a maximum range of up to 600 meters (Levelfivesupplies, n.d.) compared to the 245 meters offered by the Velodyne VLS-128 lidar sensor(Autonomoustuff, n.d.). With this further range, Luminar is using their Iris lidar sensor to build a safer vehicle. Luminar achieves their impressive range by using longer waves of laser light, 1550 nanometers compared to the normal 905 nanometers used by their competitors(Hawkins, 2021). 

 

Another one of the improved features of the Luminar Iris is the lower cost. According to Hawkins (2021), the CEO of Luminar said that the launch price of the sensor is $1000 and the company plans to bring that number down to $500. 

In contrast, the pricing of the Velodyne VLS-128 sensor is $12,000 or less for high volume customers(Lee, 2018). In order to achieve this low cost, Luminar is burning through a lot of cash reserves. In the first quarter of 2021, the company disclosed a $5.3 million revenue and a whopping net loss of $28.9 million, all this in order to bring the cost of the sensor down(Hawkins, 2021). 

 

The third improved feature of the Luminar Iris lidar sensor is the accuracy of the sensor. The accuracy of the Luminar iris sensor is 1 cm (Levelfivesupplies, n.d.) compared to the 3 cm of the Velodyne VLS-128 sensor(Autonomoustuff, n.d.). The difference in the accuracy of the sensors might not seem like much at just 2 cm. However, a 2 cm discrepancy in range while an autonomous vehicle is traveling at highway speeds might make a difference in whether the car crashes into another vehicle or not. 

 

One drawback of the Luminar Iris lidar sensor is that the design of the sensor means that it only has a 120 degree horizontal field of view(Levelfivesupplies, n.d.). The Velodyne VLS-128 sensor on the other hand, has a round design that allows it to have a 360 degree horizontal field of view(Autonomoustuff, n.d.). This means that in order to cover all angles of the car, at least 4 Luminar Iris lidar sensors are required. However, at its low cost, 4 Luminar Iris sensors will still cost less than 1 Velodyne VLS-128 sensor.

 

In conclusion, these improved features of the Luminar Iris lidar sensor make it a better choice over the Velodyne VLS-128 sensor. With its further range, lower cost and higher accuracy, the Luminar Iris lidar sensor will provide a safer as well as more cost effective solution to any autonomous vehicles in the market by having a longer time to react to changes in the environment due to the higher accuracy and further range. 

 

References

Autonomoustuff. (n.d.). Luminar Iris. AutonomouStuff. From https://autonomoustuff.com/products/luminar-iris

Autonomoustuff. (n.d.). Velodyne Alpha Prime. AutonomouStuff. From https://autonomoustuff.com/products/velodyne-vls-128

Hawkins, A. J. (2021, June 15). Luminar is using lidar to help build the 'uncrashable car'. The Verge. 2023, from https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22533711/luminar-lidar-autonomous-vehicle-hands-on-demo-austin-russell

Lee, T. B. (2018, May 7). Why spinning lidar sensors might be around for another decade. Ars Technica.  from https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/05/why-bulky-spinning-lidar-sensors-might-be-around-for-another-decade/

Levelfivesupplies. (n.d.). Luminar's Iris LiDAR. Level Five Supplies. From https://levelfivesupplies.com/product/luminar-iris-lidar/

Ohnsman. (2022, October 2). Luminar’s laser sensors.  From https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2021/11/09/luminar-to-supply-laser-sensors-for-nvidias-self-driving-car-platform/?sh=103d276b5645

Optics. (2023, February 23). Luminar signs 'multi-billion dollar' deal with Mercedes-Benz. Optics.org. From https://optics.org/news/14/2/32