Omni, a compact wide-view short-range 4D LiDAR sensor for physical AI applications.
Omni, a compact wide-view short-range 4D LiDAR sensor for physical AI applications. Photo: Aeva

California-based sensor developer Aeva has introduced Omni, a short-range 4D Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system designed to give physical artificial intelligence (AI) systems a clearer, wider view of their surroundings.

Omni is built to plug into a range of AI-driven platforms, including autonomous vehicles, drones, robots, warehouse machines, and defense systems.

South Korean electronic company LG Innotek is handling hardware integration, manufacturing, and quality control, supporting Aeva’s move toward scaled production.

Built for Real-World Settings

Omni is focused on near-field awareness, helping machines interpret what is happening around them in real time. It delivers a full 360-degree horizontal view and a 90-degree vertical field of view, addressing blind spots that often limit short-range sensing.

The sensor has a range of up to 80 meters (262 feet) and fits into a compact 85-millimeter housing. 

At its core is Aeva’s frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW), which allows Omni to measure both an object’s position and speed at the same time.

FMCW also reduces interference from sunlight and nearby LiDAR systems, a common challenge for autonomous platforms operating outdoors.

Together, those capabilities are aimed at helping AI systems react faster and more accurately, even in crowded or unpredictable environments.

Designed for Harsh Environments

Aeva engineered Omni for continuous operation in tough conditions.

The sensor meets IP68 and IP69K standards, meaning it can function in rain, dust, fog, and high-pressure washdowns.

That durability opens the door to use across industrial sites, logistics hubs, and defense applications.

“From autonomous mobile robots and vehicles, to drones and unmanned ground vehicles, and next-generation smart infrastructure, Omni provides a new level of safety and capability by delivering high-resolution perception across an exceptionally wide field of view,” said Mina Rezk, co-founder and chief technology officer at Aeva.

The company plans to begin early customer pilots in the second half of 2026, with full production targeted for 2027.

You May Also Like

AI-Powered Radar Brings Instant Threat Detection to the Sea

Lockheed Martin has trialed a compact system that adapts in real time and re-tasks itself mid-mission.

AI Converts SAR Imagery Into Real-Time 3D Synthetic Terrain

Aechelon Technology has completed a proof-of-concept that uses AI and Vantor’s global…

US Startup Reimagines Military Sensing by Letting AI Control the Optics

A programmable sensing platform uses AI to adapt optical processing in real time, improving target detection across degraded and contested environments.

US Air Force Funds AI Upgrade to Microsoft Teams for Smarter Collaboration

Unanimous AI is integrating its Hyperchat AI into Microsoft Teams for the US Air Force, enabling faster, smarter collaboration among large, distributed units.