MicroVision CEO Cites ‘LIDAR’ 3D-Sensing Technology as ‘Important Growth Area’

MicroVision sees laser-based 3D-sensing technology called “LIDAR” as an “important growth area for us,” CEO Alexander Tokman said on a Thursday earnings call. He defined LIDAR -- an acronym for light detection and ranging -- as a sensing method that uses pulse-laser light to measure ranges, surfaces and volumes. “Think of it as a detection system that works on the principle of radar, but uses light from a laser as a source,” Tokman said. Many top CE companies “are defining new products for 2018 and beyond that use LIDAR-like technologies,” he said. They include “near-field” 3D sensing for gesture-recognition uses, “mid-field” sensing for “robo-guidance” applications and “far-field” sensing for use in autonomous vehicles, he said. MicroVision believes its “baseline capability” in LIDAR technology “is superior” to those of its competitors, he said. “We've garnered interest from some major consumer electronics OEMs based on what we have demonstrated with paper models of our superior capabilities in this area,” Tokman said. “In order to move to the next stage, we plan to create working prototypes, which could be validated and verified by our prospective partners for products starting as early as late 2017 and beyond. The investments we're making today in 3D sensing technology are necessary precursors for tapping into the growth opportunity we expect to see from this emerging market.”