Cepton Introduces Lightweight 3D Lidar Sensing Solution for UAV Mapping

Cepton Technologies, a provider of 3D Lidar sensing solutions for automotive, industrial and mapping applications, has announced the SORA 200, a lightweight 3D Lidar sensor, that delivers long-range, high-resolution and low-cost mapping capabilities to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). To get the product to market, Cepton is partnering with Lidar USA, a total Lidar geospatial solutions company.

“To meet the increasing demands of UAVs, Lidar sensors must be long-range, lightweight and high-resolution,” said Dr. Mark McCord, co-founder and VP of engineering at Cepton. “SORA 200 allows for highly efficient 3D map data production at increased altitudes and velocities in various environments. With 200-metre range and a weight of 550 grams, SORA 200 is the lightest high-performance UAV Lidar on the market.”

Cepton’s micro-motion Lidar technology removes expensive, ungainly spinning parts common in Lidar units, resulting in smaller and more reliable sensors that do not compromise on resolution or range.

Product highlights include:

• Lightweight: At 550 grams, the SORA 200 can be deployed in situations where payload weight matters.
• Long-range: With a scanning range of 200 metres, the SORA 200 allows UAVs to fly at higher altitudes and cover more ground.
• High-frame rate: With a 200-hertz frame rate, equipped UAVs equipped can operate faster while maintaining high-density map data acquisition.

The launch of SORA 200 follows Cepton’s recent unveiling of its HR80 series of high-performance 3D Lidar products for ground applications.