New 4D vision chip can help robots track distance and speed at once

Researchers at Pointcloud GmbH in Zürich have developed a groundbreaking 4D imaging sensor that integrates advanced Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) LiDAR technology onto a single silicon chip. Unlike traditional pulsed LiDAR systems, which are bulky and unable to measure velocity directly, this chip uses a continuous laser beam and a Focal Plane Array (FPA) of 61,952 pixels that both emit and detect laser light. This design enables simultaneous mapping of 3D environments and real-time tracking of object speed by detecting subtle frequency shifts in the reflected light, all within a compact, low-cost device. The chip demonstrated impressive performance in tests, successfully creating high-density 3D maps of indoor spaces at distances between 6 and 11 meters, capturing fine architectural details at 65 meters, and providing instantaneous velocity measurements of moving objects like a spinning disk. With over 0.6 million integrated photonic components and associated electronics on-chip, this sensor represents a fivefold increase