Teradar, a US-based developer of terahertz (THz) vision technology, today emerged from stealth to unveil the first commercial sensing technology capable of seeing in the terahertz band of the electromagnetic spectrum. Their chip technology is a radical leap forward for the global sensing market, providing up to 20 times the resolution of today’s automotive radar. This signals a new era of high definition, “all-weather” vision and awareness for next generation vehicles and additional high-growth applications in defense, healthcare, and manufacturing.
As scrutiny of camera‑only sensor solutions grows and the limits of radar and lidar become increasingly clear as automakers pursue higher levels of autonomous driving, Teradar is in active collaborations with five of the leading automotive OEMs in the United States and Europe, as well as three Tier 1 suppliers, and expect to win a vehicle production program by 2028. The dramatically improved perception and accident avoidance derived from terahertz waves could ultimately prevent more than 150,000 fatal accidents annually worldwide.
“Terahertz sensors represent a transformative leap for automotive perception. Their ability to deliver exceptional resolution in all weather conditions and at long range enables intelligent vehicles to detect hazards with unprecedented accuracy. This technology brings reliable, real-time environmental awareness to autonomous systems, promising dramatically safer roads and redefining what’s possible for advanced driver assistance and fully autonomous driving worldwide,” said Tom Lee, Professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University.
Teradar’s proprietary Modular Terahertz Engine (MTE) is an all solid-state, highly customizable chip architecture that can be tailored to meet the range and resolution requirements of any ADAS (L1, L2) or autonomous driving systems (L3-L5). The MTE consists of a series of proprietary chips that safely transmit, receive, and process terahertz waves.
Teradar is proud to announce the successful completion of a Series B totaling $150 million led by VXI Capital with participation from IBEX Investors, Capricorn Investment Group, The Engine Ventures (MIT), and Lockheed Martin Ventures.
“Teradar has made terahertz vision a reality by bringing unprecedented resolution and awareness at long range in any weather. This breakthrough provides vehicles the perception needed to anticipate danger, avoid accidents, and, ultimately, save lives.” said Matt Carey, Co-founder and CEO at Teradar. “Ultimately our goal is to eliminate automotive accidents altogether through dramatically better perception, and this vision can only be achieved with robust, high-performance sensors that can be easily integrated and scaled to support every type of vehicle.”