Innoviz Technologies offers game-changing LiDAR remote sensing solutions to enable the mass commercialization of autonomous vehicles.
The Israel-based company was founded in January 2016 by former members of an elite technological unit of the Israel Defense Forces renowned for its expertise in the fields of electro-optics, computer vision, MEMS design and signal processing. Innoviz is backed by top-tier investors including Vertex Venture Capital, Magma Venture Partners, Amiti Ventures, Delek Motors and Mr. Zohar Zisapel.
With the early realization that self-driven cars would never become a reality without LiDAR technology, the company advanced quickly from the concept and prototyping stage to development and mass production. It expects to move just as rapidly during the next phase of growth.
Its strategic partnerships and investments from major Tier 1 companies such as Delphi and Magna are proof that Innoviz’s LiDAR design is an industry winner, and the focus now is on accelerating integration of their technology into more vehicles.
The Robust Products provided by Innoviz
Innoviz offers two LiDAR products, InnovizOne and InnovizPro. Both feature solid-state design that uses patent-pending technology to deliver superior performance at the affordable costs and reduced sizes necessary for mass market adoption.
The technology uses proprietary systems like Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and Detection Systems to deliver superior sensing capabilities, even in challenging environments such as bright direct sunlight, varying weather conditions and multi-LiDAR environments. Moreover, their solid-state design is smaller, more reliable and more durable than their competitors’.
InnovizPro is a development platform designed to provide auto manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers and technology companies with the most advanced LiDAR available for testing and development. InnovizOne is an automotive grade LiDAR device, designed for levels 3 – 5 autonomous driving.
The company’s precise sensing technology also enables them to provide a superior algorithmic layer that uses deep learning to turn 3D vision into critical driving insights. By providing advanced software solutions in areas such as HD mapping and SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), they are able to deliver the Object Detection and Classification capabilities necessary to move the industry towards mass commercialization.
The Thought-Leader of the Company
Omer David Keilaf, the CEO and Co-Founder of Innoviz Technologies, has spent over 18 years driving cutting edge technologies from inception to commercialization. Before founding Innoviz, Omer led the system and product definition efforts at Consumer Physics, building the world’s first handheld molecular sensor for mobile devices. He played an important role in leading the system architecture and engineering teams at bTendo (acquired by ST Micro) and Anobit (acquired by Apple).
Omer also has 7 years of experience in the elite technological unit of the Intelligence Corps of the Israel Defense Forces, where he performed critical roles involving the development of large scale technological systems. As one of Innoviz’s co-founders, he helped to come up with the unique idea on which the company is built. He continues to contribute through effective leadership and by driving the vision he has for the company’s direction.
Innoviz’s four other co-founders served in the same elite R&D unit of the Israeli Intelligence Corps, as have many of its employees. This experience taught them the value of tackling problems differently and also of working as a team to solve complex challenges. The co-founders have also worked in the private sector in various technical, product and management roles before coming together to work on Innoviz. This diverse range of experiences, combined with a common vision has contributed immensely to the company’s success to date.
Combining Talent and Creativity to Conquer Challenges
Innoviz believes, “Anytime you are tackling such a difficult problem as what we are trying to solve, there are going to be challenges.” The biggest challenge for Innoviz is the technology factor. To tackle this, Innoviz has hired some of the brightest minds in the fields of electro-optics, computer vision, MEMS design, signal processing and more.
Innoviz takes an unconventional view of LiDAR problems. They know that achieving the performance standards necessary for Levels 3 – 5 of autonomous driving at significantly lower costs requires an entirely new approach and redesign of the technology.
They encourage all of their employees to think creatively to solve problems, and give them incredible autonomy and leeway to tackle challenges as they see fit. This approach has already produced ideas that have the potential to change the entire automotive industry.
Awards, Achievements and Recognition
Innoviz Technologies recently won the CES 2018 Innovation Award for Vehicle Intelligence and Self-Driving Technology, and they have been named one of the Top Ten Automotive Startups for the upcoming Automobility LA Conference. WIRED Magazine has called them one of the top startups “racing to remake the auto industry.”
A Future that Promises Innovation
As InnovizPro and InnovizOne become available in the near future, the company is looking to create a large, successful and sustainable business where LiDAR for autonomous vehicles is just the first step. They are currently looking into the areas like computer vision, HD mapping and SLAM so that the company can deliver the entire gamut of technologies required in autonomous driving.
Innoviz believes their unique LiDAR technology can be applied in a diverse range of fields where advanced sensing technology is essential, such as Robotics, the Military and Renewable Energy.
Source :- The 10 Most Innovative Robotics Companies to Watch 2017