Here are 3, microcap, public Tech companies involved in supplying crucial technology
to the driverless car industry (as well as the automation and robotics industries)
Ouster, Inc. (OUST): Specializes in high-performance lidar sensors used in autonomous vehicles and robotics for mapping and navigation.
Aeva Technologies, Inc. (AEVA): Develops lidar and perception systems that provide 4D sensing for autonomous vehicles, enhancing their ability to perceive the environment.
Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (FRSX): Focuses on developing advanced safety and autonomous driving solutions, including multi-spectral vision systems for driverless cars.
Please note that stock prices are volatile and can change rapidly. Please verify the current share prices through a reliable financial source.
Here is a rundown of each of these tech microcaps!
Ouster, Inc. (Ticker: OUST)
Company Overview
Ouster is a leading provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors used in autonomous vehicles, robotics, mapping, and industrial automation. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Ouster aims to make high-performance lidar technology widely accessible through scalable manufacturing and affordable pricing.
Founders and Backgrounds
Angus Pacala: Co-founder and CEO of Ouster. Pacala holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. Before starting Ouster, he co-founded Quanergy Systems, another lidar technology company, where he served as Director of Engineering. His expertise lies in hardware design, optics, and photonics.
Mark Frichtl: Co-founder and former CTO of Ouster. Frichtl also graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to Ouster, he worked as a hardware engineer at Apple, contributing to the development of various consumer electronics. His background is in hardware engineering and product development.
Position in the Industry
Ouster differentiates itself with its digital lidar technology, which uses silicon semiconductor manufacturing processes to produce lidar sensors. This approach allows for mass production at a lower cost compared to traditional analog lidar systems. Ouster's sensors are known for their high resolution, reliability, and compact form factor, making them suitable for integration into a wide range of vehicles and machinery.
Ouster absorbed competitor, Velodyne technologies in the past year, enhancing it's production and development growth and absorbing Velodyne clients. It competes with other lidar providers like Luminar but positions itself as a more cost-effective solution without compromising on performance. Ouster has established partnerships across automotive, industrial, and robotics sectors, enhancing its presence in the autonomous vehicle supply chain.
Financials
Ouster became a publicly-traded company through a merger with Colonnade Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), in March 2021. The merger provided Ouster with significant capital to scale its operations.
- Revenue Growth: The company reported increasing revenues driven by higher sensor sales across various industries.
- Investments: Significant funds are allocated to research and development to improve sensor performance and reduce costs.
- Profitability: Ouster is becoming profitable, focusing on growth and market penetration.
Please verify the latest financial statements for up-to-date information, as financial conditions can change.
Technology Advances
Ouster's key technological advancements include:
- Digital Lidar Architecture: Utilizes complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology for both transmitting and receiving elements, enabling scalable production.
- Multi-Beam Flash Lidar: Offers high-resolution 3D imaging with a simplified design, reducing moving parts and increasing durability.
- Scalable Manufacturing: Their sensors can be produced using existing semiconductor fabrication infrastructure, lowering costs.
Aeva Technologies, Inc. (Ticker: AEVA)
Company Overview
Aeva Technologies specializes in sensing and perception systems for autonomous vehicles. Founded in 2017 and based in Mountain View, California, Aeva develops lidar sensors that integrate velocity measurements at each point, enhancing the detection capabilities of autonomous systems.
Founders and Backgrounds
Soroush Salehian: Co-founder and CEO. Salehian previously worked at Apple in the Special Projects Group, focusing on hardware development for new products. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.
Mina Rezk: Co-founder and CTO. Rezk also hails from Apple, where he worked on developing sensing technology for consumer electronics. He has a background in physics and engineering.
Both founders leveraged their experience at Apple (remember Apple car) to create advanced sensing solutions aimed at overcoming the limitations of existing lidar technologies.
Position in the Industry
Aeva is recognized for its unique approach to lidar technology, employing Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) methodologies. This allows their sensors to measure instant velocity and position, reducing interference and enhancing object detection accuracy.
The company's technology has attracted partnerships with major automotive manufacturers and suppliers, positioning Aeva as a key player in the next generation of autonomous vehicle sensors. They compete with companies like Velodyne and Innoviz but stand out due to their FMCW technology.
Financials
Aeva went public via a SPAC merger with InterPrivate Acquisition Corp. in March 2021, providing capital to accelerate product development and commercialization efforts.
- Revenue: Primarily generated from partnerships and development contracts.
- Investments: Focused heavily on R&D to refine their FMCW lidar technology.
- Profitability: Not yet profitable as the company invests in scaling its technology and manufacturing capabilities.
For the latest financial updates, please consult recent company filings.
Technology Advances
Aeva's notable technological contributions include:
- 4D Lidar on Chip: Integrates all key components onto a silicon photonics chip, reducing size and cost.
- Instant Velocity Measurement: Their sensors can detect the velocity of objects at each point, improving tracking and identification.
- Long-Range Performance: Capable of detecting objects at distances exceeding 300 meters.
Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (Ticker: FRSX)
Company Overview
Foresight Autonomous Holdings is an Israeli technology company founded in 2015, focusing on automotive vision systems for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving applications. The company's solutions are designed to improve vehicle safety by providing accurate and reliable detection capabilities.
Founders and Backgrounds
- Haim Siboni: Founder and CEO. Siboni is also the CEO of Magna B.S.P., a company specializing in security systems. He has a background in management and technology development, particularly in electro-optics and surveillance systems.
Position in the Industry
Foresight leverages stereo vision and multi-spectral imaging technology to create 3D images of the environment, enhancing object detection accuracy. Their systems are designed to perform in various weather and lighting conditions, addressing common challenges faced by optical sensors.
The company positions itself as a provider of cost-effective vision solutions for the automotive industry, targeting manufacturers and suppliers seeking to enhance the safety features of their vehicles.
Financials
Foresight is a smaller player compared to its peers, with financials reflecting its early-stage development status.
- Revenue: Generated from pilot projects, prototypes, and initial sales.
- Investments: Significant expenditure on R&D to develop and refine their vision systems.
- Profitability: The company has not yet achieved profitability, focusing on technology development and market penetration.
Always refer to the most recent financial reports for up-to-date information.
Technology Advances
Key technological advancements by Foresight include:
- QuadSight Vision System: Utilizes four cameras (two infrared and two visible light) to achieve near-perfect object detection in all conditions.
- Multi-Spectral Stereo Vision: Combines inputs from different spectral bands to enhance detection capabilities.
- Software Solutions: Advanced algorithms for image processing, object recognition, and distance measurement.
Conclusion
These three companies play significant roles in advancing the technology necessary for driverless cars:
- Ouster focuses on making high-resolution lidar sensors more accessible through digital technology and scalable manufacturing.
- Aeva introduces innovative FMCW lidar technology that measures velocity, enhancing the perception capabilities of autonomous vehicles.
- Foresight Autonomous provides advanced vision systems that improve safety through accurate detection in challenging conditions.
Their founders bring a wealth of experience from leading technology companies and specialized fields, driving innovation within the autonomous vehicle industry. While each company is at different stages of financial maturity, they all contribute critical technologies that support the growth and development of driverless cars.
Note: The information provided is based on data available up to September 2021. For the latest updates on financials, company developments, and technological advancements, please consult recent company disclosures and reputable financial news sources.
Editor Note:
Full Disclosure: we own shares in AEVA, LAZR and OUST
