Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Leti & Partners Launch Pilot Program to Assess New Perception Sensors for Autonomous Vehicles

Transdev's latest innovative transportation technologies already allow to operate fleets of autonomous vehicles for shared mobility. The perception of the environment through sensors is essential to offer the best client experience in terms of comfort and operation speed guaranteeing the required level of safety and security. Evaluating sensor effectiveness and robustness is critical to develop the Transdev's Autonomous Transport System that will allow the operation of autonomous vehicles fleets in a maximum of environmental conditions safely and securely.

In the pilot program, Leti teams will focus on perception requirements and challenges from a LiDAR system perspective and evaluate the sensors in real-world conditions. Vehicles will be exposed to objects with varying reflectivity, such as tires and street signs, as well as environmental conditions, such as weather, available light and fog. In addition to evaluating the sensors' performance, the project will produce a list of criteria and objective parameters by which various commercial LiDAR systems could be evaluated.

'As an innovative supplier of autonomous transportation vehicles for smart cities, Transdev is leading the procession toward responsive, efficient and safe services with buses and shuttles,' said Leti CEO Emmanuel Sabonnadi're. 'This project will build on Leti's sensor-fusion knowhow and sensor development expertise to strengthen Transdev's testing and evaluation of sensors for its vehicles.'

Yann Leriche, Transdev's CEO North America, said: 'Providing the best client experience with the guarantee of safety, security and quality of service, will confirm Transdev as a pioneer in integrating autonomous transport systems into global mobility networks'.

About LetiLeti, a technology research institute at CEA Tech, is a global leader in miniaturization technologies enabling smart, energy-efficient and secure solutions for industry. Founded in 1967, Leti pioneers micro-& nanotechnologies, tailoring differentiating applicative solutions for global companies, SMEs and startups. Leti tackles critical challenges in healthcare, energy and digital migration. From sensors to data processing and computing solutions, Leti's multidisciplinary teams deliver solid expertise, leveraging world-class pre-industrialization facilities. With a staff of more than 1,900, a portfolio of 2,700 patents, 91,500 sq. ft. of cleanroom space and a clear IP policy, the institute is based in Grenoble, France, and has offices in Silicon Valley and Tokyo. Leti has launched 60 startups and is a member of the Carnot Institutes network. Follow us on www.leti-cea.com and @CEA_Leti.

CEA Tech is the technology research branch of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), a key player in innovative R&D, defence & security, nuclear energy, technological research for industry and fundamental science, identified by Thomson Reuters as the second most innovative research organization in the world. CEA Tech leverages a unique innovation-driven culture and unrivalled expertise to develop and disseminate new technologies for industry, helping to create high-end products and provide a competitive edge.

About TransdevA 70% owned subsidiary of Caisse des D'p'ts in which Veolia has a shareholding of 30%, Transdev is a leading global provider of mobility services. It supports public transport authorities in everything from the pre-project phase to project management assistance to daily operation of public transport networks. With 82,000 employees in 20 countries, the group operates 43,000 vehicles and 22 tramway networks. In 2017, Transdev had a turnover of 6.6 billion euros.

About IRT NanoelecNanoelec Research Technological Institute (IRT), headed by CEA-Leti (www.leti.fr), conducts research and development in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) and, specifically, micro- and nanoelectronics. Based in Grenoble, France, IRT Nanoelec leverages the area's proven innovation ecosystem to create the technologies that will power the nanoelectronics of tomorrow, drive new product development and inspire new applications ' like the Internet of Things ' for existing technologies. The R&D conducted at IRT Nanoelec provides early insight into how emerging technologies such as 3D integration and silicon photonics will affect integrated circuits. Visit www.irtnanoelec.fr.

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