Toposens, the first company in the world that brought 3D ultrasonic technology to the market has received €2.5M from the European Union Horizon 2020 Program. The money will help the startup to develop 3D ultrasonic technology specifically for the autonomous driving market.
Toposens, the Munich based startup that has developed the world’s first 3D Echolocation Sensor for automobile, robotics, and autonomous vehicles, has raised a new round of funding. The round was led by existing investor ALPANA Ventures from Switzerland and joined by new investors Basinghall Partners from the UK, and USA-based In-Q-Tel, Inc.
Traditional ultrasonic sensors measure one-dimensional distances to only the closest reflecting surface at any given instant. In contrast, 3D ultrasonic sensors – also referred to as 3D sonars – usually have a much wider field-of-view (FoV) and provide simultaneous measurements of multiple objects within their scanning cone. This whitepaper presents the physical principles that govern three-dimensional ultrasonic sensing, with a focus on sonars offered by Toposens.
Sensor startup Toposens takes the next step towards improving 3D ultrasonic perception for robotics with the release of a Linux compatible ROS driver.
The release of Toposens ROS makes it significantly easier for engineers to create robot applications with ultrasound technology. This will enhance the adaptability and user riendliness of Toposens sensors across a spectrum of use-cases.
How can it be possible that a staggering one of every five motor vehicle accidents takes place in a parking lot? Even at slow speed in a parking situation, the driver cannot perceive his environment flawlessly, despite parking assistance functions like camera and PDC´s. Tight parking spots in car parks or crowded parking areas in front of shopping malls display everyday driving challenges. Thinking about it, it is quite reckless to not support your car with the cutting-edge sensor technology.
3D sensor startup Toposens was chosen to showcase its technology in the Techcrunch Disrupt Startup Alley in San Francisco in early September 2018. Equipping autonomous vehicles with near-field sensing systems, the startup is now focusing on targeting the US market.
Giving technology the opportunity to see its environment via ultrasound – this technological breakthrough is finally brought to reality by the company Toposens. After several years of research and development, the 3D ultrasound sensor technology is now officially being launched and will be available as a Development Kit and as a serial product in larger quantities, enabling robots and vehicles to perceive their environment with the “bat”-sense.