Aeva technology solves critical challenges to lunar exploration by enabling high-resolution mapping and precise navigation in GPS-restricted environments using Aeva’s instantaneous speed data
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Aeva® (NYSE: AEVA), a leader in next-generation sensor and perception systems, announced today that NASA’s Kinematic Navigation and Mapping Backpack (KNaCK) LiDAR-based Instrument mobile The terrain mapping and navigation system, designed to support the next generation of lunar and planetary research, uses Aeva’s 4D LiDAR technology. Aeva technology, including the new Aeries ™ II sensor, is expected to enable KNaCK Instrument to create high-precision maps of the lunar surface and provide precise navigation capabilities to overcome the lack of global positioning and navigation systems on the moon. These capabilities are designed to support missions that are part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to bring people back to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years.
Already used for advanced monitoring and perception in the automation and industrial automation industries, Aeva’s capabilities for 4D LiDAR go beyond what is possible with traditional sensors such as cameras and legacy 3D LiDAR. Aeva technology detects instantaneous point velocity in addition to the 3D position, which allows KNaCK Instrument to take advantage of the 4D Localization ™ sensor capabilities. These capabilities are expected to allow the instrument to build a real-time, extremely accurate three-dimensional representation of the lunar topography and provide accurate positioning data to allow astronauts and rover vehicles to move safely on the moon.
Aeva technology is also helping the KnaCK instrument to address other challenges specific to the Moon’s South Pole, one of the regions to be explored by NASA’s Artemis missions. The low solar frequency at the Moon’s South Pole means that the sun never appears more than three degrees above the horizon, exposing cameras and legacy LiDAR sensors to significant optical interference that prevents their effective use. This region of the Moon also has areas that are constantly shaded or have long permanent shadows that prohibit navigation based on photogrammetry. Aeva’s Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) technology is immune to optical interference from the sun and can operate in the dark, allowing astronauts and rovers to use the KNaCK tool to explore and map the lunar surface at any time, day or night.
“We are excited that NASA is using Aeva 4D LiDAR technology to enable and collaborate with the next generation of lunar exploration on the KNaCK Instrument project to help astronauts meet the critical goals of NASA’s Artemis program,” said James. Reuters, vice president of technology at Aeva. “This is another example of how powerful and flexible Aeva’s 4D LiDAR platform really is, whether it helps autonomous vehicles travel safely on our roads or by allowing the next wave of space exploration to address critical challenges such as precise navigation in environments where there is no GPS such as the Moon. We look forward to expanding the boundaries of technology and supporting the continued success of this transformational mission. “
“The KNaCK sensor is a geodetic tool for both navigation and scientific mapping, capable of creating ultra-high-resolution 3D maps with centimeter-precision,” said Michael Zanetti, KNaCK project manager and chief researcher at the Marshall Space Flight Center. of NASA, in a statement from NASA. “Taking advantage of the latest advances in Aeva’s LiDAR technology, our next-generation Torch Technologies-supported space hardened device will be the size of a soda can and can allow lunar surface operations like never before.” It will also help ensure the safety of astronauts and rover vehicles in an environment banned by GPS, such as the moon, by identifying actual distances to distant landmarks and showing real-time researchers how far they have come and how far they remain. to get to their destination. “
In addition to the benefits of mapping and navigation, Aeva’s high-resolution sensor data can also be used to create high-resolution terrain maps useful for landing site visualizations. The KnaCK project is also exploring additional applications that use Aeva’s instantaneous speed detection capabilities to detect particles in the air, such as the way exhaust gases interact with lunar and planetary surfaces and to measure small-scale atmospheric phenomena such as dust devils.
For more information on NASA’s Artemis program, visit: www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis
About Aeva Technologies, Inc. 04.30 NYSE: AEVA
Aeva’s mission is to bring the next wave of perception in a wide range of applications from automated driving to industrial robotics, consumer electronics, consumer health, security and more. Aeva transforms autonomy with its innovative sensor and perception technology, which integrates all key LiDAR components into a silicon photon chip into a compact module. Aeva 4D LiDAR sensors uniquely detect instant speed in addition to 3D positioning, allowing autonomous devices such as vehicles and robots to make smarter and safer decisions. For more information, visit www.aeva.com or contact us on Twitter or LinkedIn.
Aeva, the Aeva logo, 4D LiDAR, Aeries, Ultra Resolution, 4D Perception and 4D Localization are trademarks / registered trademarks of Aeva, Inc. All rights reserved. Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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