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Autonomous systems struggle most at close range. While long-distance sensing is relatively mature, many accidents and failures occur within tens of meters, where blind spots, occlusions, and fast-moving objects leave little time to react. For vehicles, robots, and drones operating in crowded or unpredictable environments, incomplete near-field awareness can quickly turn into a safety risk.
A newly introduced short-range LiDAR sensor is designed to close that gap. The system, known as Omni, focuses specifically on near-field perception, giving AI-driven platforms a continuous, panoramic understanding of what is happening around them. Instead of relying on multiple sensors pointed in different directions, the design delivers a single 360-degree horizontal view combined with a 90-degree vertical field of view, covering areas that are often missed by conventional setups.
According to Military AI, the sensor’s effective range extends up to 80 meters, which is sufficient for most close-range navigation, obstacle avoidance, and interaction tasks. Despite this coverage, the unit is compact, measuring just 85 millimeters, making it easier to integrate into vehicles, robots, or unmanned platforms where space is limited.
At the heart of the system is frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LiDAR technology. Unlike traditional time-of-flight sensors, FMCW measures distance and relative velocity simultaneously. This means the sensor does not just see where an object is, but also how fast it is moving. That additional data allows AI systems to better predict motion and respond more quickly, particularly in dynamic scenes with people, vehicles, or other machines.
FMCW also brings practical advantages in real-world environments. The technology is inherently more resistant to interference from sunlight and from other nearby LiDAR systems, a growing issue as more autonomous platforms operate side by side. This makes the sensor suitable for outdoor use, dense industrial settings, and multi-robot deployments.
Durability is another core requirement. The sensor is rated to IP68 and IP69K standards, meaning it can withstand dust, heavy rain, fog, and high-pressure cleaning. This allows continuous operation in harsh environments such as ports, construction zones, logistics yards, and exposed infrastructure.
From a defense and homeland security perspective, such capabilities are particularly relevant; unmanned ground vehicles, surveillance drones, and autonomous patrol systems often operate in cluttered, GPS-degraded, or contested spaces where rapid close-range awareness is critical. A compact sensor that provides full situational coverage while tracking object motion can improve navigation, collision avoidance, and threat detection without relying on multiple vulnerable components.
Early pilot deployments are planned for the second half of 2026, with larger-scale production expected in 2027. As autonomy moves closer to everyday operational use, sensors optimized for the most dangerous and unpredictable distances may prove just as important as long-range detection.
