In a significant breakthrough for the autonomous mobile robotics industry, Sonair AS, a Norwegian technology company, has officially launched today after years of operating in stealth mode. The company has unveiled its highly anticipated 3D ultrasonic sensor, a game-changing technology poised to revolutionize obstacle detection and safety for autonomous mobile robots and automated guided vehicles.

Sonair's patented technology leverages ultrasonic sensors instead of relying on light or lasers for obstacle detection. The company describes its new sensor as a cost-effective alternative to expensive safety lidar sensors, with an anticipated price point ranging from 50% to 80% lower than traditional lidar units.

At the heart of Sonair's innovation lies a cutting-edge imaging method called beamforming, which is the backbone of processing for sonar, radar, and medical ultrasound imaging. By combining wavelength-matched transducers with advanced software for beamforming and object-recognition algorithms, Sonair has unlocked the ability to generate 3D spatial information simply by transmitting sound and listening.

"Today, as we step out of stealth mode, we are excited to share our vision and contributions towards a future where humans and machines can coexist safely and productively," said Knut Sandven, CEO of Sonair. "Our cutting-edge ultrasound technology not only detects obstacles in three dimensions but does so with unprecedented accuracy and at a fraction of the cost of current sensors."

Founded in 2022, Sonair specializes in ultrasonic sensors designed to alleviate the financial burden associated with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). By leveraging patented technology developed at SINTEF's MiNaLab in Europe, the company claims that its sensors can enhance a robot's vision from 2D to 3D, offering a significant improvement over traditional lidar and camera systems.

"Our sensors are designed to end the era of expensive laser-based sensors," Sandven emphasized. "With our evaluation kit releasing this summer, we encourage innovators and industry leaders to explore the potential of our technology in transforming machine perception."

The Sonair 3D ultrasonic sensor is engineered to enable AMRs to detect the distance and direction of all objects within a 180×180 field of view, up to a 5-meter (16.5 ft.) range, with a resolution of 1 cm (0.39 in.). While these sensors are primarily designed for obstacle detection and avoidance, rather than perception and guidance, they provide a critical safety layer for autonomous robots.

The primary use case for Sonair's acoustic detection and ranging (ADAR) technology is to inform the robot controller when an object enters any of the safety zones configured around the robot. Currently, this function is typically handled by safety-rated lidars, which offer only a two-dimensional and planar view of the world around the robot.

Sonair's advantage lies in both its lower cost and the use of 3D+ information, which includes the capability to track the trajectory of an object entering the safety envelope, providing an added layer of safety and situational awareness.

Several companies are already exploring Sonair's sensor technology, including Solwr, a Norwegian company that has developed a combination of robotics and software to automate picking and sorting processes in warehouse and retail environments.

"We are impressed by the technology and the unique opportunity Sonair gives us to offer mobile picking robots with next-generation operational safety solutions," said Olivier Roulet-Dubonnet, Chief Technology Officer of Solwr. "We are really excited to start testing the Sonair 3D ultrasonic sensor on our robot in warehouses."

Sonair has opened a waiting list to get evaluation units of its sensors into the hands of AMR and AGV developers. A limited number of pilot units will begin shipping in a few weeks, and the company expects to begin full production later this year.

With its innovative approach to obstacle detection and its potential to significantly reduce costs for autonomous mobile robotics, Sonair's 3D ultrasonic sensor is poised to disrupt the industry and pave the way for safer and more accessible robotic solutions across various sectors.