SolidVue Develops LiDAR Sensor SoC... Secures 33 Billion Won Government Project

From left: CEO Choi JaeHyuk, CTO Chun Jung-Hoon, CS Kim Seong-Jin

The Korean fabless startup, SolidVue, is accelerating its efforts in developing System-on-Chip (SoC) for LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor, a crucial component for autonomous driving.

SolidVue announced on the 19th that it has been selected for the "Next-generation Semiconductor Technology Development Project" by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, receiving a total of 33 billion won in support from 2022 to 2024 to carry out the "CMOS LiDAR Sensor and AI SoC Development for Fixed-type LiDAR."

While LiDAR systems have recently expanded beyond vehicle applications into robotics, machine vision, and the augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) markets, investments in related industries within South Korea have been relatively limited. Additionally, despite several companies developing semiconductor LiDAR modules, Japan's Sony remains the sole entity possessing LiDAR sensor semiconductor solutions.

Founded in 2020, SolidVue has been spearheading research in image sensors and LiDAR sensors, successfully developing Time-of-Flight (TOF) image sensors and CMOS LiDAR sensors. The startup is led by research teams from Sungkyunkwan University's Semiconductor Systems Engineering (Professors Choi Jaehyuk and Chun Jung-hoon) and UNIST's Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Professor Kim Seong-jin).

Collaborating with SOSLAB, Seoul National University, and Korea Electronics Technology Institute, SolidVue aims to commercialize the integrated SoC containing CMOS LiDAR sensors and AI accelerators. The company plans to develop a sensor core comprising a high-sensitivity Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) component capable of detecting distances of over 150 meters, along with signal processing ICs. SOS LAB will produce the light-emitting unit and LiDAR platform, conducting evaluations of the sensor SoC. Seoul National University and Korea Electronics Technology Institute will handle the hardware architecture design of the integrated SoC capable of running object recognition algorithms and the development of driving software.

SolidVue's CEO, Choi Jae-hyeok, stated, "We will solidify our research and development capabilities in autonomous driving and mobile LiDAR, providing a reliable solution for fixed-type LiDAR sensors that enable accurate 3D object and spatial detection." He further emphasized, "Successfully developing the challenging core components of LiDAR early on will secure international competitiveness in LiDAR technology, which is becoming increasingly vital amid concerns about weaponizing LiDAR exports."

SolidVue's CMOS LiDAR Sensor

View original article : 솔리드뷰, 라이다센서 SoC 개발…33억 규모 산업부 사업 선정 - 머니투데이 (mt.co.kr)