Waymo Sells Custom LiDAR Sensors Outside Autonomous Vehicle Market
Waymo introduces its Laser Bear Honeycomb LiDAR sensor for robotics, security, and agriculture, challenging startups in a crowded industry.
Waymo enters the LiDAR sensor market by selling its custom short-range Laser Bear Honeycomb technology to companies outside the self-driving car industry. The Alphabet subsidiary targets robotics, security, and agricultural technology sectors instead of competing directly with its autonomous vehicle rivals. This move shifts the narrative in an industry where Velodyne has long served as the primary supplier.
The decision puts immediate pressure on smaller LiDAR startups that lack significant capital or focus on the same non-automotive customer base. Dozens of startups have emerged over the years to challenge Velodyne, but Waymo brings substantial resources and proven in-house technology to the table. Pitchbook data indicates there were 28 venture capital deals in the LiDAR sector last year, suggesting the market may have reached its peak.
LiDAR remains a critical technology for most autonomous vehicle developers, despite notable exceptions like Tesla, because it uses laser light to generate highly accurate 3D maps of the environment. Waymo originally used Velodyne sensors before developing its own technology, which famously sat at the center of a trade secrets lawsuit against Uber. By branching into external sales, Waymo diversifies its business while reshaping the competitive landscape for sensor manufacturers.