LiDAR solutions provider AEye and South Korean tech company MoveAWheeL have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore merging their respective sensor technologies for automotive safety and autonomous driving use cases.
The collaboration centres on pairing AEye’s Apollo LiDAR sensor with MoveAWheeL’s acoustic road-surface technology.
It aims to strengthen both advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving capabilities through combined long-range object detection and real-time road-condition data.
Apollo is a software-defined, 1550-nanometre LiDAR sensor built for behind-the-windshield installation, capable of detecting objects at distances of up to one kilometre.
AEye chairman and CEO Matt Fisch said: “Physical AI depends on giving machines the ability to accurately perceive and understand the real world. Apollo was designed to deliver long-range, real-time 3D perception that helps systems see farther and react earlier in complex environments.
By exploring the integration of Apollo with MoveAWheeL’s road-surface intelligence, we have the opportunity to create an even deeper understanding of the driving environment, particularly in the adverse conditions where advanced safety systems are needed most.”
MoveAWheeL’s system employs active acoustic sensing to estimate friction coefficients, producing predictive data intended to inform braking, acceleration, and stability-control decisions.
The two companies intend to assess how Apollo’s 3D perception capabilities can work alongside MoveAWheeL’s friction-coefficient prediction technology, particularly in adverse conditions such as rain, snow, and black ice.
Under the agreement, the parties plan to define technical evaluation activities, identify potential automotive customer engagements, and explore go-to-market opportunities across select geographies.
The MoU is non-binding, with any commercial arrangement to be governed by a separate definitive agreement.
MoveAWheeL founder and CEO Min-Hyun Kim added: “While LiDAR provides the ‘eyes’ for a vehicle to see obstacles, MoveAWheeL provides the ‘tactile sense’ to feel the road. By integrating our Physical AI with AEye’s long-range perception, we are creating a complete safety stack that remains robust even in the most treacherous weather conditions.”
