World’s First FMCW-Based Sensors Deliver Sub-Micron Repeatability for High-Volume Manufacturing Automation Applications
Aeva®, a leader in next-generation sensing and perception systems, today introduced the Aeva Eve™ 1 line of high-precision sensors, starting with Eve 1D, the industry’s first FMCW-based laser displacement sensor designed for high-volume and inline industrial automation applications, including factory and process automation. The new product addresses the growing $4 billion global laser displacement sensor market.
Laser displacement sensors are redefining precision measurement in modern production environments. They measure the distance between the sensor and a target surface without physical contact, using a laser beam. Designed for high-speed, non-contact operation, the sensors are designed to measure accuracy down to the micrometer level, which is about 1/100th the thickness of a human hair. Commonly used in industrial automation, quality control, and precision manufacturing, manufacturers can use these sensors to measure the thickness, height, or position of components, monitor the velocity or vibration of moving parts, and check for flatness or warping in manufacturing.
Eve 1D laser displacement sensors are the industry’s first to leverage Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) laser technology and are powered by Aeva’s CoreVision™ lidar-on-chip modules. They leverage the same silicon technology built from the ground up to meet the strict reliability and durability requirements of automotive applications, fine-tuned for high-precision sensing. Each module is built using silicon photonics to integrate key sensor elements on silicon. Combined with Aeva’s proprietary precision sensing software, Eve 1D provides a scalable, software-defined product free from the limitations of industry-standard laser triangulation technology in performance, cost and form-factor.
“Built on the same core FMCW technology found in our Atlas automotive 4D LiDAR products, our Eve 1 line of sensors opens an entirely new market with significant revenue opportunity for Aeva,” said Mina Rezk, Co-founder and CTO at Aeva. “Eve 1D delivers a unique combination of performance, cost, and scalability, and addresses many of the drawbacks of today’s laser displacement sensor technologies. The sensors will help increase quality control and precision as the global manufacturing industry becomes increasingly automated and reliant upon advanced sensor technologies.”
Eve 1D sensors are designed to measure down to sub-micron precision and can operate across a wide range of target standoff distances from 100 millimeters up to 20 meters, all within the same compact all-in-one form factor that combines measurement and data processing. They outperform state-of-the-art displacement sensors with an accuracy of 100 parts per million (0.01% linearity) and operate at high measurement speeds. These advantages allow for faster, precise inspection, giving customers high levels of throughput, improved quality control, and cost efficiency in their manufacturing processes.
Eve 1D combines optical components and data processing into a compact, single box design allowing for a seamless plug-and-play experience. In addition, FMCW technology provides important advantages over industry-leading displacement sensors that use traditional triangulation or time-of-flight based measurement methods, including:
· Works Across Materials – Ultra-high dynamic range delivers reliable precision across various materials and surface types—reflective, transparent, or dark—with seamless transitions and no artifacts.
· Works In All Lighting Conditions – Unaffected by ambient light or sensor interference, it is well-suited for any lighting environment, outdoor use or high-density sensing environments.
· Occlusion-Free Measurement – A unique coaxial laser beam design enables versatile scanning in small clearance areas without occlusions or sensitivity to scan direction.
· Precise Vibration and Velocity Measurement – Accurately captures radial velocity, expanding functionality to include vibrometry and velocimetry to precisely measure the vibration of rotating parts like fans and shafts and detect the speed of moving parts like conveyor belts.