Revolutionary Sonar-Based Sensors Make Robot Safety More Affordable and Comprehensive

In an era where robots are increasingly penetrating human spaces, the need for safety in robotics becomes paramount, especially as these mechanical entities become more integrated with their human counterparts.

Enter Sonair, a Norwegian company that believes its innovative sensors can help robotics manufacturers achieve their safety objectives more efficiently and cost-effectively than current LIDAR technology.

Based in Oslo, Norway, Sonair has developed an ADAR (acoustic detection and ranging) sensor designed for robots. This sensor utilizes high-frequency sound waves to create a three-dimensional map of the robot’s surroundings by emitting ultrasound and analyzing the echoes.

This data serves as a valuable complement to other sensors and cameras, enhancing the operating system’s understanding of the environment in which the robot operates. Knut Sandven, co-founder and CEO of Sonair, explains, “For humans, our primary perception relies on sight, but we also utilize other senses like hearing to perceive our environment and our brain to interpret these senses. Similarly, robots or autonomous machines use cameras extensively to understand their surroundings, but they are not reliable in all conditions.”

Sonair’s sensors aim to address these shortcomings, particularly in depth perception. Traditionally, robotics companies have relied on LIDAR sensors that emit beams of light and measure the reflection for this purpose. However, Sandven asserts that Sonair’s sensors provide more comprehensive data.

“LIDAR is akin to using a laser pointer,” Sandven states. “On the other hand, shouting in a room fills it with sound. We fill the environment with sound.” The sensor’s output is formatted in a standard industry-compatible manner, allowing seamless integration with various robotic hardware and software configurations.

Since its release earlier this year, Sonair has experienced significant demand from the robotics sector, with multiple companies planning to incorporate their sensors into future robot models. Additionally, there is interest from the industrial safety sector, where Sonair’s sensors are used for detecting human presence in areas with heavy machinery, allowing for automatic shutdown before an accident occurs.

With this growing demand, Sonair recently secured a $6 million funding round to accelerate its growth. Investors include Scale Capital, Investinor, ProVenture, and others active in the robotics space. Sandven notes that these investors quickly recognized the problem Sonair aims to solve, foreshadowing the potential safety concerns that will become increasingly relevant as robots interact more closely with humans—a concern reminiscent of the early days of the self-driving car industry.

While Sonair currently lacks direct competition for its sonar-based sensors, Sandven acknowledges that this may change as more companies seek safety solutions for robots. “My ambition is to have this technology integrated into all robots, just like cameras,” Sandven states. “If we reconnect next year, we should have a clearer picture of whether we’re on the right path.”