DGAP-News

First Sensor AG: First Sensor Expands Cooperation with Velodyne LiDAR Inc.

DGAP-News: First Sensor AG / Key word(s): Agreement First Sensor AG: First Sensor Expands Cooperation with Velodyne LiDAR Inc. 30.01.2017 / 08:00 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. - New strategic supply agreement for Avalanche photodiodes (APD) concluded - Multi-million dollar order volume over the next three years - Autonomous driving propels growth

At the world's largest trade fair for optical technologies, the SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco, the sensor specialist First Sensor and Velodyne LiDAR Inc. announced an expansion of their cooperation for Avalanche photodiodes (APD), which has been in place since 2005. Velodyne LiDAR is the recognized global leader in Light, Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology.

The strategic supply cooperation has a volume in the millions over the next three years. Velodyne LiDAR uses Avalanche photodiodes (APD) from First Sensor in its entire product range of LiDAR scanners. Together with radar and camera systems, LiDAR is of fundamental importance for autonomous driving. In this field, Velodyne LiDAR acts as a supplier to a large number of OEMs and tech companies in the autonomous revolution space and particularly appreciates the performance of First Sensor technology for this.

"In the field of industry, First Sensor has been a valued supplier for Avalanche photodiodes for a long time. We cover a wide usage spectrum, ranging from length measurement right up to machine safety. By using these products in LiDAR scanners for autonomous driving, we are now gradually tapping into a new market with huge growth potential with this product," says Dr. Dirk Rothweiler, CEO of First Sensor AG.

This started in 2009 with an APD array that entered series production for the end customer Chrysler. In addition to the USA, this technology is now being used in Europe and Asia as well. "Many of our development projects had reached prototype phase by the end of last year. We are confident that we will generate further business from them in the future," says Dr. Mathias Gollwitzer, CFO of First Sensor.