Synexens (SPARC sensor group) has recently launched a brand new R5001 chip based on D-ToF technology, bringing a revolutionary change to the robotics industry. This chip is a fully integrated receiving chip with single-photon detection, solving the complex design, assembly, and calibration difficulties of laser radar for robots (such as sweeping robots, AGVs, logistics robots, and low-speed unmanned vehicles) as well as the high cost problem.

Traditional laser radar requires multiple analog and digital circuits at the receiving end, such as photodiodes, transimpedance amplifiers, limiting amplifiers, comparators, FPGAs, high-voltage biases, temperature control, etc. However, the R5001 chip uses the industry-leading single-photon detection technology to integrate multiple modules into a small SoC, greatly simplifying circuit design while reducing the cost of radar.

Currently, a well-known domestic robot brand has successfully deployed the LDS module designed based on this chip and is in the stage of volume production verification. With the large-scale production of the R5001 chip, the cost of laser radar will rapidly decrease, and it will be popularized in daily use. We look forward to the popularization of this technology, bringing more possibilities for the development of the robotics industry.