WHO
Norway-based startup Sonair has developed a 3D ultrasonic sensor that uses sound waves in air to give robots a precise, real-time 3D view of their surroundings, helping them operate safely in shared spaces.
WHAT
Increased warehouse automation and new safety regulations are accelerating demand for technologies that enable people and robots to work side-by-side. Sonair’s patented ADAR (acoustic detection and ranging) brings 3D awareness to robots and allows for their continuous, safe movement around humans. ADAR leverages advances in ultrasound technology — from physics and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) engineering to signal processing. Unlike traditional sensors that rely on a view in 2D slices and can only “see” in a single horizontal plane, often missing overhead obstacles or low-lying hazards, ADAR’s 3D coverage ensures that robots can detect obstacles and humans at any height, from floor to ceiling, providing a virtual safety shield. What sets ADAR apart from legacy ultrasonic systems is its use of a single, spherical sound wave transmission. This means that all spatial information is extracted from the analysis of this one transmit event, greatly improving the achievable frame rate. ADAR enables AMRs to navigate safely in dynamic, cluttered environments. By providing 3D obstacle detection, it reduces the risk of potential collisions with hazardous objects such as hanging cables, low shelves, or protruding objects which can be “invisible” to 2D sensors. ADAR also creates a virtual safety zone around robot cells, allowing for dynamic speed and force limitation based on proximity. This directly improves worker safety in environments with moving machinery.
WHERE
Oslo, Norway
WHY
"For robots to operate alongside humans, safety has to be built in from the start,” said Knut Sandven, CEO and Co-Founder of Sonair. “ADAR gives manufacturers a straightforward and more affordable way to achieve that.”
WHEN
After a strong market debut earlier this year, ADAR is now shipping to manufacturers in Asia, Europe, and North America. Sonair is safety-certifying to PLd ISO13849 / SIL IEC 61508 and recently raised $6M to further fuel its growth.
For more information, contact Mette McCall at
