Quanergy Releases M1 Edge Lidar Sensor for Industrial Automation

Quanergy Systems Inc. today announced the new M1 Edge 2D lidar sensors paired with its QORTEX Aware perception software. The company said M1 Edge is an integrated software and hardware product designed to automatically collect, analyze, and interpret point-cloud data for a wide variety of industrial applications without additional programming.

“Lidar has become instrumental in increasing efficiency by solving tough sensing challenges faced by industrial customers, thanks to unmatched reliability and accuracy,” said Tony Rigoni, director of industrial market development and alliances at Quanergy. “It's quick to set up, delivers unmatched performance, and [is] competitively priced.”

Founded in 2012, Quanergy Systems and builds on decades of experience of its team in the areas of optics, photonics, optoelectronics, artificial intelligence, and control systems. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company provides optical phased array (OPA)-based, solid-state lidar and 3D systems for automotive and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Quanergy said its technology can provide actionable insights for mapping, security, smart cities, and smart spaces, industrial automation, and transportation.

Quanergy M1 Edge promises accuracy, robustness

The M1 Edge includes compact, lightweight lidar sensors with sensing capabilities up to 200 meters, broad 360° coverage, and an angular resolution of 0.033° for best-in-class measurement, claimed Quanergy.

The sensors are rated up to IP67 for harsh environments and can perform reliably in any lighting or weather conditions. They can provide up to 60,000 hours mean time between failure (MTBF) and deliver a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than competing solutions, said the company.

M1 Edge integrates lidar with on-board QORTEX Aware perception software to monitor user-defined detection zones and trigger an alarm on the sensor’s digital output if there is any activity within the zones, explained Quanergy.

Users can pre-configure up to eight evaluation fields, each with up to three detection zones, where the evaluation field is selected via the sensor’s digital output.

New industrial sensor suitable for mobile robots

Quanergy said its M1 Edge enables reliable collision avoidance and smart navigation for mobile equipment. When mounted on an automated guided vehicle (AGV) or an autonomous mobile robot (AMR), the sensor can monitor the surrounding area, flagging potential dangers and obstacles in the vehicle’s path. The detection zones being monitored can dynamically change based on the vehicle’s movement, said Quanergy.

In addition, M1 Edge offers accurate detection and measurement for stationary and dynamic applications that require simple alerting when an object enters a monitored area.

For example, in industrial applications, M1 Edge enables reliable monitoring for level- and height-sensing applications, including tank level monitoring, object stacking, fill level detection, and more, said Quanergy.

"After evaluating Quanergy’s latest product, M1 Edge, we are excited to deploy this low-cost, 2D industrial sensor," said Neil Jacques, president of IPTech1. "It solves real-world industrial sensing applications by combining simple to use software vision tools with a high-resolution lidar array. We know of no other outdoor rated sensor that has both the range and resolution of the M1 Edge."

In June, Quanergy entered into a definitive merger agreement with special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) CITIC Capital Acquisition Corp. Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will be named Quanergy Systems Inc. and is expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “QNGY.” The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.