World’s first high-res terahertz sensor could make driving safer

Teradar has unveiled the world’s first high-resolution, long-range terahertz (THz) sensor, called the Teradar Summit, designed to enhance automotive safety and support advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving from levels L2 to L5. The solid-state sensor offers a 300-meter (984 feet) range with a native angular resolution of 0.13°, producing detailed 3D point clouds with Doppler data that capture range, direction, elevation, and relative speed. Unlike traditional radar and lidar, Teradar’s THz sensor reliably operates in all weather conditions—including fog, rain, snow, and sun glare—addressing a critical gap in vehicle perception technology. The company estimates that this breakthrough could help prevent up to 150,000 road deaths annually worldwide. Developed by a Boston-based startup founded by experts from MIT and Stanford, the Teradar Summit uses a proprietary Modular Terahertz Engine (MTE) chip system that integrates transmit, receive, and