Aeva 4D LiDAR helps NASA map the moon

Aeva 4D LiDAR helps NASA map the moon

Press release from: Aeva Technologies, Inc. Published: Friday, April 22, 2022

Aeva® (NYSE: AEVA), a leader in next-generation sensor and perception systems, today announced that NASA’s Kinematic Navigation and Mapping Backpack (KNaCK) Instrument, a LiDAR-based mobile mapping and navigation system designed for to support the next generation of lunar and planetary research, uses Aeva’s 4D LiDAR technology. Aeva technology, including the new Aeries ™ II sensor, is expected to enable KNaCK Instrument to create high-precision maps of the lunar surface and provide precise navigation capabilities to overcome the lack of global positioning and navigation systems on the moon. These capabilities are designed to support missions that are part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to bring people back to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

Already used for advanced monitoring and perception in the automation and industrial automation industries, Aeva’s capabilities for 4D LiDAR go beyond what is possible with traditional sensors such as cameras and legacy 3D LiDAR. Aeva technology detects instantaneous point velocity in addition to the 3D position, which allows KNaCK Instrument to take advantage of the 4D Localization ™ sensor capabilities. These capabilities are expected to allow the instrument to build a real-time, extremely accurate three-dimensional representation of the lunar topography and provide accurate positioning data to allow astronauts and rover vehicles to move safely on the moon.

Aeva technology is also helping the KnaCK instrument to address other challenges specific to the Moon’s South Pole, one of the regions to be explored by NASA’s Artemis missions. The low solar frequency at the Moon’s South Pole means that the sun never appears more than three degrees above the horizon, exposing cameras and legacy LiDAR sensors to significant optical interference that prevents their effective use. This region of the Moon also has areas that are constantly shaded or have long permanent shadows that prohibit navigation based on photogrammetry. Aeva’s Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) technology is immune to optical interference from the sun and can operate in the dark, allowing astronauts and rovers to use the KNaCK tool to explore and map the lunar surface at any time, day or night.

“We are excited that NASA is using Aeva 4D LiDAR technology to enable and collaborate with the next generation of lunar exploration on the KNaCK Instrument project to help astronauts meet the critical goals of NASA’s Artemis program,” said James. Reuters, vice president of technology at Aeva. “This is another example of how powerful and flexible Aeva’s 4D LiDAR platform really is, whether it helps autonomous vehicles travel safely on our roads or by allowing the next wave of space exploration to address critical challenges such as precise navigation in environments where there is no GPS such as the Moon. We look forward to expanding the boundaries of technology and supporting the continued success of this transformational mission. “

“The KNaCK sensor is a geodetic tool for both navigation and scientific mapping, capable of creating ultra-high-resolution 3D maps with centimeter-precision,” said Michael Zanetti, KNaCK project manager and chief researcher at the Marshall Space Flight Center. of NASA, in a statement from NASA. “Taking advantage of the latest advances in Aeva’s LiDAR technology, our next-generation Torch Technologies-supported space hardened device will be the size of a soda can and can allow lunar surface operations like never before.” It will also help ensure the safety of astronauts and rover vehicles in an environment banned by GPS, such as the moon, by identifying actual distances to distant landmarks and showing real-time researchers how far they have come and how far they remain. to get to their destination. “

In addition to the benefits of mapping and navigation, Aeva’s high-resolution sensor data can also be used to create high-resolution terrain maps useful for landing site visualizations. The KnaCK project is also exploring additional applications that use Aeva’s instantaneous speed detection capabilities to detect particles in the air, such as the way exhaust gases interact with lunar and planetary surfaces and to measure small-scale atmospheric phenomena such as dust devils.

For more information on NASA’s Artemis program, visit: www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis

About Aeva Technologies, Inc. 04.30 NYSE: AEVA

Aeva’s mission is to bring the next wave of perception in a wide range of applications from automated driving to industrial robotics, consumer electronics, consumer health, security and more. Aeva transforms autonomy with its innovative sensor and perception technology, which integrates all key LiDAR components into a silicon photon chip into a compact module. Aeva 4D LiDAR sensors uniquely detect instant speed in addition to 3D positioning, allowing autonomous devices such as vehicles and robots to make smarter and safer decisions. For more information, visit www.aeva.com or contact us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Aeva, the Aeva logo, 4D LiDAR, Aeries, Ultra Resolution, 4D Perception and 4D Localization are trademarks / registered trademarks of Aeva, Inc. All rights reserved. Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Future-oriented statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are usually identified by the words “believe”, “project”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “judge”, “intend”, “strategy”, “future”, “opportunity”, “plan”, “may”. “,” Must “,” will “,” will “,” will be “,” will continue “,” will probably lead “and similar expressions. Statements about the future are forecasts, forecasts and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and as a result are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors may lead to a material difference between actual future events and the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) the ability to maintain Aeva’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange, (ii) the cost of Aeva securities, which may be variable due to various factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Aeva plans to operate, variations in the performance of competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Aeva’s business and changes in the combined capital structure, (iii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts and other expectations and to identify and realize additional opportunities, (iv) the risk of downturns and the possibility of rapid change in the highly competitive industry in which Aeva operates, (v) the risk that Aeva and its current and future associates will not be able to successfully develop and commercialize the products or services of Aeva, or to try to risk significant delays in doing so, (vi) the risk that Aeva will never achieve or maintain profitability; (vii) the risk that Aeva will have to raise additional capital to carry out its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (viii) the risk that Aeva is experiencing difficulties in managing its growth and expansion, (ix) the risk that third party suppliers and manufacturers will be unable to meet their obligations fully and in a timely manner, (x) the risk of liability for the product, or regulatory litigation or proceedings related to Aeva products and services, (xi) the risk that Aeva will not be able to protect or defend its intellectual property; and (xii) the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) or other infectious diseases, health epidemics, pandemics and natural disasters on Aeva’s business. The above list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the above factors and to further discuss the significant risks and other important factors that could affect our financial performance, please see our SEC documents, including our 10-K form for the year ended 31 December, 2021. These documents identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could lead to a material difference between actual events and outcomes and those contained in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only to the date on which they were made. Readers are warned not to rely too heavily on forward-looking statements, and Aeva does not undertake any obligations and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Aeva does not give any assurances that she will meet her expectations.

Contacts

Media:

Michael Oldenburg

press@aeva.ai

investors:

Andrew Fung

investors@aeva.ai

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