Sonair, a little startup out of Oslo, Norway has developed an innovative robotic safety technology. Last year, they introduced a new ADAR (acoustic detection and ranging) sensor that significantly improves this important piece of technology. With this revolutionary device that uses high-frequency sound, robots can have a three-dimensional view of their environments. Rolled out on the commercial market earlier this year, Sonair’s sensor is compatible with most generic robotic and autonomous hardware and software platforms. This achievement is a monumental leap forward in industrial safety technology.
Sonair’s ADAR sensor produces data using an industry-standard format which helps make data integration into current robotic systems more seamless. That makes it possible for robots to implicitly sense human presence in environments shared with industrial machines. This capacity is essential. It allows industrial robots to autonomously power down equipment before a human with whom they may collide can reach that space, keeping workers safe and minimizing peril in industrial workplaces.
Beyond that, the demand for Sonair’s sensors have been especially high among the industrial safety sector. Now companies are starting to see the extreme value of these sensors. Compared to more traditional outreach and surveying methods, they allow for more holistic data capture. Several other international companies have recently announced efforts to integrate Sonair’s technology into their upcoming robotic models. This strategic decision puts Sonair as a leader in the emerging market.
Having a right perception, Knut Sandven, a SONAIR representative argued, was critical not only for humans but for robots as well. He stated, “Perception for a human — what we’re using the most is our eyes, but we’re using other senses to perceive our environment, our ears and our brain to interpret all our senses.” He further elaborated on the limitations of conventional technologies: “The same is for robots or autonomous machines. They’re using cameras. Cameras are really great to understand the environment, but they’re not good for reliably detecting objects under all circumstances.”
Sonair has now officially debuted its ADAR sensor! In conjunction with this exciting news, the company has closed $6 million in funding to help spur technology adoption. This significant financial support will help the company increase its impact. It will further guarantee that its sensors will be a common component of all robotic systems, the same way cameras are used today.
Sonair is in a very specialized space where there is not direct competition for its sonar-based sensors right now. This rare placement gives the company a unique opportunity to address some of the most important gaps in robotic perception, especially around depth perception capabilities. Sandven underscored the constraints of traditional LIDAR technologies when he explained, “LIDAR is just swiping a laser pointer. This painting starkly highlights how these technologies fail massively in hostile conditions.
Safety proponents showcase the far-reaching benefits of Sonair’s technology. It’s been integral in preventing dangerous accidents involving young children and pets around large construction machinery. Fady Saad remarked on this concern, stating, “If this thing falls on pets or kids, it will hurt them, right? This is just one aspect of a big hurdle that no one is paying attention to, or very few people are paying attention to.”
Sonair’s ambitions go beyond just selling sensors. It wants to have its technology embedded into any and all robots. The company’s long-term vision is to have their advanced perception technology be available and trusted universally, from self-driving cars to service robots. This perfect pairing of Sonair’s innovative sensor technology and its factory-direct commitment to safety and security is sure to set new standards for industrial automation.