LightIC Technologies Cuts LiDAR Power Consumption 80% with Indie SoC Integration

LightIC Technologies and indie have partnered to deliver a breakthrough in LiDAR technology, slashing power consumption by 80% through the integration of indie’s iND83301 System-on-Chip into LightIC’s silicon photonic FMCW LiDAR architecture. This advancement replaces bulky FPGA-based processing, dramatically improving size, weight, power, and cost – key hurdles to widespread LiDAR adoption. The resulting platform, showcased in products like the long-range Lark™ (exceeding 500 meters) and the tennis ball-sized FR60™ for robotics, promises scalable solutions for automotive and AI applications. “FMCW LiDAR has long been recognized for its advantages…but system-level complexity has limited adoption and commercialization,” said Jie Sun, CEO of LightIC Technologies, highlighting how this collaboration redefines LiDAR’s capabilities and paves the way for global deployment.

iND83301 SoC Integration Reduces LiDAR SWaP-C by 80%

This advancement isn’t simply about efficiency; it’s a pivotal step towards wider commercial viability for FMCW LiDAR technology, previously hindered by system-level complexity. The iND83301’s small footprint also contributes to a 40% decrease in overall solution size, opening doors for deployment in applications like humanoid robotics. This integrated platform has already yielded tangible results with LightIC’s Lark™, a long-range FMCW LiDAR capable of perception exceeding 500 meters, designed for advanced automotive applications. Further extending the impact, the FR60™ – described as the smallest known FMCW LiDAR, roughly the size of a tennis ball – targets robotics and physical AI. The partnership promises a scalable architecture that meets OEM requirements for global deployment.

Lark™ & FR60™: Long-Range and Compact FMCW LiDAR Products

LightIC Technologies and indie have collaborated to produce a new generation of Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LiDAR systems, resulting in the Lark™ and FR60™ products. Lark™, a long-range LiDAR, achieves perception capabilities exceeding 500 meters and is designed for advanced automotive and intelligent transportation systems requiring precise velocity measurement. This performance is enabled by integrating indie’s iND83301 System-on-Chip (SoC) into LightIC’s silicon photonic architecture, a move that significantly improves size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C).

The partnership has yielded an 80% reduction in power consumption compared to current FPGA-based platforms, alongside a 40% decrease in overall solution size. FR60™ targets robotics, industrial automation, and physical AI applications, delivering high-resolution 4D perception in a compact design. LightIC, founded in 2019, is a leader in silicon photonics–based FMCW LiDAR, and this collaboration aims to accelerate the broader adoption of the technology.