Sonair, a Norwegian technology company specializing in sensing, has announced a successful funding round, raising $6 million from both existing and new investors. Prominent backers include Scale Capital of Copenhagen and Norway’s Investinor, supported by RunwayFBU, SINTEF, and ProVenture. The investment will drive the commercialization and global expansion of Sonair’s Acoustic Detection and Ranging (ADAR) technology, aimed at enhancing the safety, intelligence, and cost-effectiveness of autonomous machines. Sonair aims to redefine safety standards in environments where humans and machines work closely together.
Sonair’s patented ADAR sensor is the first of its kind, providing safe 3D ultrasonic sensing capabilities. It stems from research by SINTEF and offers precise, real-time spatial awareness, which LiDAR systems often struggle to deliver cost-effectively. Over the years, similar efforts in ultrasonic perception have fallen short on affordability or scalability compared to Sonair’s approach. Yet, some past initiatives have highlighted the potential for such technologies to optimize safety and efficiency in robotic applications.
How Does Sonair Plan to Utilize New Funding?
The fresh funds are earmarked to tap into global markets across Asia, Europe, and North America, furthering Sonair’s entry into robotic perception systems. Already, the technology is being used in commercial cleaning and retail robots, giving manufacturers innovative solutions to meet stringent safety requirements.
What Are the Key Features of ADAR?
ADAR incorporates full vertical field views and low computational demands to assist autonomous navigation efficiently. Designed to strike a balance between safety and innovation, it provides a compelling alternative to more expensive sensing technologies without sacrificing precision.
ADAR’s initial applications are in logistics and manufacturing, projected to become a $15.6 billion market by 2030. This growth aligns with rising demand for warehouse automation, driven by labor constraints and evolving safety standards. The technology serves as a cost-effective tool for manufacturers aiming to exceed safety benchmarks.
For robots to operate alongside humans, safety has to be built in from the start. ADAR gives manufacturers a straightforward and more affordable way to achieve that.
If a robot can’t operate safely around people, it won’t be widely adopted. We’re giving manufacturers a tool they can trust, one that helps them meet the highest safety standards without slowing down innovation.
Clients like Japan’s Fuji Corporation are actively integrating ADAR in service robots for retail, while in Europe, commercial cleaning robots benefit from its capabilities. These developments demonstrate the sensor’s applicability across diverse environments where there’s a critical need for safety.
Overall, Sonair’s ambitious expansion plan, reinforced by robust financial backing, is poised to influence how autonomous systems are developed and deployed. As sensing technology continues to evolve, Sonair’s ADAR sensor represents significant progress in ensuring robotic systems’ viability and safety.
