Lasers & Sources

Lidar maker Blackmore Sensors and Analytics raises $18 Million

March 23, 2018

New funding round for InP-based frequency modulated CW lidar system maker.

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Blackmore Sensors and Analytics (Bozeman, MT), which develops frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) lidar for automotive and other applications, has raised $18 million in a Series B funding round led by BMW i Ventures. Additional investment comes from Toyota AI Ventures, Millennium Technology Value Partners, and Next Frontier Capital.

Randy Reibel, CEO of Blackmore, said that the companies range and velocity is what differentiates Blackmore's sensor from its competitors. "Having the ability to measure both the speed and the distance to any object gives self-driving systems more information to navigate safely. Blackmore provides software and analytics so its customers can get the most out of the FMCW lidar sensors."

Blackmore will use the investment to scale the production of its FMCW lidar sensor for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and self-driving markets. Increased production capacity will allow Blackmore to support the growing sector of autonomous driving teams demanding a superior lidar solution.

Blackmore's optical layer is built on standard optical fiber communications components. The company says it has integrated InP lasers into its system to reduce cost and improve performance.

Source: Blackmore

About the Author

Conard Holton | Editor at Large

Conard Holton has 25 years of science and technology editing and writing experience. He was formerly a staff member and consultant for government agencies such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and engineering companies such as Bechtel. He joined Laser Focus World in 1997 as senior editor, becoming editor in chief of WDM Solutions, which he founded in 1999. In 2003 he joined Vision Systems Design as editor in chief, while continuing as contributing editor at Laser Focus World. Conard became editor in chief of Laser Focus World in August 2011, a role in which he served through August 2018. He then served as Editor at Large for Laser Focus World and Co-Chair of the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar from August 2018 through January 2022. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at the Colorado School of Mines and Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.