By ATN Editorial Team
Summary: AEye has announced Stratos, a new software-defined lidar sensor capable of reliably detecting objects at distances of up to 1.5 kilometres, redefining what qualifies as ultra-long-range lidar. The compact sensor combines advanced optics with a scalable software architecture to deliver more than double the resolution of AEye’s Apollo lidar. Designed for automotive, trucking and other safety-critical sectors, Stratos aims to improve early object detection and decision-making at a competitive price point.
Key engineering takeaway: Stratos pairs ultra-long-range detection with a compact, software-defined lidar architecture, achieving up to 1.5 km range and significantly higher resolution than previous designs. The sensor supports flexible deployment, including behind-windshield automotive integration with effective detection up to 500 metres. Its architecture enables performance scaling without major hardware changes.
Why it matters: Earlier and longer-range object detection directly improves safety margins in high-speed and complex operating environments. A compact, cost-effective lidar with kilometre-scale range could broaden adoption beyond passenger vehicles into trucking, rail, aviation and defence. This pushes lidar closer to meeting the practical requirements of advanced automated and AI-driven systems.
AEye, Inc. (Nasdaq: LIDR), a global leader in software-defined lidar solutions and the manufacturer of the Apollo lidar sensor, continues to set new standards in lidar detection with today’s announcement of Stratos, a new sensor that redefines the definition of “ultra-long-range” lidar. Capable of reliably detecting objects at distances of up to 1.5 kilometers, Stratos sets a new benchmark for performance, accuracy, and real-world deployment at a competitive price point.
Stratos is specifically designed to address the most demanding requirements by combining cutting-edge optics with a software-defined architecture to deliver high resolution and range in a compact and scalable form factor. By extending reliable detection well beyond one kilometer, and at resolution greater than two times that of AEye’s Apollo, Stratos enables earlier object recognition, improved situational awareness, and enhanced decision-making in complex, high-speed, and safety-critical environments.
AEye’s Stratos lidar delivers ultra-long-range sensing in a compact package not much larger than a typical smartphone. When placed behind the windshield in automotive and trucking applications, Stratos can detect objects at up to 500 meters. Its ability to detect objects at distances of up to 1.5 kilometers also enables critical applications in aviation, defense, and rail.
“Stratos represents a significant leap forward in long-range lidar capability, bringing the ultimate perception capability to the realm of physical AI,” said Matt Fisch, CEO of AEye. “By extending detection out to 1.5 kilometers while maintaining precision and system efficiency in a small form factor, we’re providing a cost disruptive solution that enables our customers to detect the smallest objects much earlier, react sooner, and operate more safely in real-world conditions, even at high speeds.”
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