Velodyne Lidar sensors for Optimus Ride AVs

Optimus Ride will use Velodyne’s lidar sensors in its entire fleet of self-driving vehicles, operating its autonomous vehicle (AV) systems in four US states shortly.

“Velodyne’s sensors provide powerful lidar solutions that help us ensure our self-driving vehicles are the smartest and safest on the road today,” Optimus Ride chief executive officer and co-founder Dr Ryan Chin says.

“For Optimus Ride to operate a fleet at SAE Level 4 requires significant sophistication, intelligence, range and resolution. Velodyne’s technology meets these high standards.”

Optimus Ride’s self-driving vehicles provide passenger transport at low speeds within defined, geofenced areas such as planned communities, campuses and self-driving zones in cities, Business Wire reports.

Its autonomous vehicles (AVs) are deployed in Boston’s Seaport District, South Weymouth, Massachusetts, and at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York.

Optimus Ride will soon deploy at Paradise Valley Estates in Fairfield, California, and Brookfield Properties’ Halley Rise development in Reston, Virginia.

Using Velodyne sensors, Optimus Ride can precisely locate the position of people and objects around its vehicles, as well as calculate their speed and trajectory. With that information, the vehicle’s on-board computer system determines how to drive to its destination.

“The Optimus Ride fleet showcases how Velodyne’s intelligent lidar sensors are helping companies place autonomous vehicles on the road today,” Velodyne Lidar president Mike Jellen says.

Velodyne Lidar is based in San Jose, California.