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Teradar raises $150 million for terahertz-vision sensor

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Sensor offers lidar resolution, radar robustness, cheaper

bumper-mounted chip

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Teradar partners with five major automakers for sensor

development programs

By Akash Sriram

Nov 12 (Reuters) - Teradar on Wednesday said it raised

$150 million and unveiled a new "terahertz-vision" sensor that

it says could disrupt the automotive radar and lidar market by

making all-weather, high-resolution sensing cheaper and more

durable.

The technology could reshape the market for sensors widely

used in robotaxis and self-driving applications by offering the

resolution of lidar and the robustness of radar in a cheaper,

bumper-mounted chip that sees through rain, snow and dust,

potentially speeding automakers' shift to safer

driver-assistance at a lower cost.

Boston-based Teradar said the round was led by VXI Capital,

with participation from IBEX Investors, Capricorn Investment

Group, The Engine Ventures and Lockheed Martin Ventures.

"By 2030, it's a $20 billion market," CEO Matt Carey told

Reuters, adding that automakers are looking for sensors that can

finally make hands-free driving safe and affordable.

The startup said it is already working under paid

development programs with five major automakers in the U.S. and

Europe and expects its first production vehicle program in 2028.

Carey said Teradar's fully solid-state design, built from

standard silicon, enables costs comparable to imaging radar

while delivering 20 times better resolution.

"Our goal is to give every vehicle, not just luxury ones,

lidar-level perception that works in all weather," he said.

The sensor can be configured for near or long-range vision

and used in vehicles with anything from basic driver-assistance

to advanced self-driving features.

Carey said automakers are responding quickly, planning

test-track demonstrations across the U.S. and Europe.

Because the sensor mounts behind bumpers and lacks moving

parts, it can replace existing radar locations without

redesigning bodywork.

The launch comes as some automakers, such as Tesla,

champion camera-only systems for low cost and efficiency, while

others, including Alphabet's Waymo, insist on multiple

sensor types.

Teradar argues its approach bridges that divide. While

focused on automotive markets, the company said its terahertz

technology could also support defense, security and industrial

uses.