Ouster : How we optimized Ouster lidar sensors for industrial automation

Industrial automation promises a future of greater safety for humans and higher productivity for machines. Transforming this vision into reality, requires equipment and systems to just work. All the time. And lidar sensors, as a vital component of automation, are no exception to this rule.

We design our lidar sensors around the principle that they need to just work. This means that they need to work rain or shine, night or day, clean or dirty, in the warehouse, the mine, the port, and the crop rows.

And not just work, but work well. This means giving machines the right combination of resolution and field-of-view to help them accurately identify and avoid humans, navigate around small objects and through warehouse stacks, operate at efficient speeds, and differentiate between safety-critical and non-safety critical obstacles.

Ouster lidar sensors on a Waytous autonomous mining truck (left) and Balyo autonomous forklift (right)

With this goal in mind, we're excited to unveil our latest hardware update, Rev 5, across our entire suite of OSx sensors. Rev 5 combines the critical performance, reliability, and power features that make Ouster lidar the optimal choice for the industrial market, including:

• High-resolution data with accurate reflectivity to optimize perception and localization algorithms
• Industry-leading reliability and IP68/69K ruggedness
• Ultra-wide vertical field-of-view
• Standard power compatibility to accommodate 12V and 24V operations
• Equipped with the latest firmware, including calibrated reflectivity
• Integrations into leading partner platforms, including Danfoss

With every product upgrade, we're making it easier to integrate our sensors into new or existing industrial platforms. Ouster lidar sensors can be found today in numerous industrial applications, from indoor warehouse robots, to autonomous cranes, to autonomous mining in underground, heavy dust, and sub-zero environments.

Reach out to our teamto learn more about how Ouster's latest products can accelerate your industrial projects.

Highlights of our latest Rev 5 sensors:

High-resolution datato optimize perception and localization algorithms

Perception and localization algorithms are only as good as the data they receive. Ouster's high-resolution digital lidar outputs four data layers including range, signal, calibrated reflectivity, and near infrared. Accurate reflectivity data gives autonomous machines an additional dimension of information around their environments, improving the accuracy of object detection and the robustness of localization algorithms. When coupled with our high-resolution data of up to 128 channels, machines are able to detect objects at longer distances while also operating at higher speeds. One of Ouster's customers, Seegrid (formerly Box Robotics), saw a 50% increase in the average speed of their autonomous mobile robots after switching to digital lidar.

Industry-leading reliability means reduced downtime

Ouster's focus on reliability, combined with our sensors' inherent digital lidar architectural advantages, results in the most robust and rugged 3D lidar sensors on the market. Sensor failures increase costs from downtime, repairs, and more critically, safety risk. This is why we design and test to the highest standards of reliability and robustness, including achieving IP68/69K and automotive-grade shock and vibe specifications on our sensors. Reliable sensors reduce downtime, reduce time and costs associated with replacements, and improves safety due to more reliable operations.

Support for 12V and 24V operations

All Rev 5 and later sensors now come standard with both 12V and 24V power compatibility, ensuring seamless retrofit of our sensors into existing industrial equipment for improved safety and task automation. Along with the 12V sensor capability, we are also introducing new 12V compatible cables and interface boxes.

Ultra wide vertical field-of-view

With a 90º vertical field-of-view, Ouster's OS0 captures an expansive view of the environment, from obstacles on the floor to high warehouse stacks. This comprehensive data can be used to improve object detection and localization algorithms, helping autonomous robots maneuver more efficiently and safely around other objects and people.

Partner integrations to speed up development

To support customers' development of autonomous machinery and accelerate their time to market, Ouster has built a robust ecosystem of partners that integrate with our sensors. Earlier this year, we introduced our integration with Danfoss' PLUS+1® Platformto reduce the complexity, time, and cost of development for automated systems. With the PLUS+1 Platform , customers can easily integrate Ouster lidar with a suite of hardware and software development tools, enabling key functionalities like object detection and avoidance, path planning, and operator assistance.

Industrial automation is accelerating, and machines need reliable sensors to operate safely and efficiently all the time. Connect with our teamto learn more about how you can automate your systems with Ouster's sensor suite optimized for commercial industrial applications.