Automate 2025: ADAR 3D Ultrasonic Sensor Enables Safe Human-Robot Interaction
The ADAR 3D ultrasonic sensor (acoustic detection and ranging) is a 3D depth-sensing device that uses airborne sound waves to detect people and objects around autonomous robots. Designed to enhance safety in environments shared by humans and robots, it provides real-time 3D spatial perception using patented acoustic detection and ranging (ADAR) technology.
A single sensor covers a 180 x 180 field of view with a 16.4 ft (5 m) range, allowing omnidirectional obstacle detection for mobile robot safety systems. Unlike traditional 2D LiDAR scanners that detect only in one horizontal plane, this sensor captures a full 3D profile, improving the robot’s ability to sense human presence and navigate dynamic environments.
The sensor applies beamforming technology—commonly used in SONAR, RADAR, and medical ultrasound imaging—to airborne ultrasound for spatial mapping. Developed over two decades at the MiNaLab sensor and nanotechnology research center in Norway, the system integrates wavelength-matched transducers with object recognition algorithms for effective environmental sensing.
Built to meet ISO13849:2023 performance level d/SIL2 safety standards, the sensor is expected to be certified for safety by the end of 2025. Its compact size and low power and compute requirements make it suitable for integration into a variety of autonomous mobile robot platforms.
Sonair ADAR is scheduled for shipment in July 2025.
Features:
- 180 x 180 field of view for wide-area coverage
- 16.4 ft (5 m) detection range using airborne sound waves
- 3D omnidirectional perception for autonomous robots
- Beamforming-based depth sensing
- ISO13849:2023 PL d/SIL2 safety design
- Small form factor for integration in mobile platforms
- Low power and compute requirements
- Real-time object recognition and spatial mapping
Sonair
Oslo, Norway
[email protected]
sonair.com
