A new technology developed by the Boston-based startup Teradar promises to enhance automotive safety by utilizing terahertz radar, potentially saving lives in hazardous driving conditions. After experiencing a tragic loss due to a car accident involving small debris, co-founder Matthew Carey and his team set out to create a sensor that could effectively detect obstacles in environments where current technologies fail, such as fog and bright sunlight.
Today’s car-mounted sensors, including radar and lidar, struggle under these conditions. Traditional radar cannot adequately detect small objects, while lidar is limited by fog, and cameras often suffer from glare. Teradar aims to overcome these limitations with its innovative terahertz imager, which is capable of detecting objects up to 300 meters away. This new sensor, which combines aspects of both radar and camera technology, is currently undergoing tests with several automotive manufacturers, with plans for market release in 2028.
Revolutionizing Vehicle Safety
Carey highlights that Teradar’s technology offers up to 20 times the resolution of conventional automotive radar while being less expensive than lidar systems. The terahertz sensor operates without moving parts, which reduces both manufacturing costs and wear and tear. This combination of simplicity and high resolution positions Teradar’s solution as a potential game changer in automotive safety.
The terahertz imager generates a point cloud similar to that produced by lidar, effectively mapping the surrounding environment. The system achieves this by using electronically steerable beams, which scan the area for obstacles. The time it takes for these signals to return allows the sensor to determine the distance and location of objects.
Carey expressed confidence that this technology could have averted incidents like the recent fatality involving a cat struck by a self-driving car from Waymo. “It probably would have saved the cat,” he said, underlining the practical implications of the technology.
Advancements in Terahertz Technology
The progress Teradar has made is largely attributed to advancements in silicon transistor technology. According to Ruonan Han, a professor of electrical engineering at MIT, the increase in the maximum frequency of silicon devices has significantly boosted the efficiency and sensitivity of terahertz circuits. Improvements in chip packaging also play a critical role in effectively transmitting terahertz radiation.
While Teradar is focused on the automotive sector, the potential applications for terahertz technology extend beyond vehicles. Han’s lab at MIT is working on low-power terahertz sensors for use in robots and drones, and has also launched a startup, Cambridge Terahertz, aimed at utilizing terahertz frequencies for security purposes.
Carey noted that while terahertz frequencies do not penetrate skin, they can reveal distinct differences in color for certain skin conditions, such as melanomas, which could lead to further applications in medical diagnostics.
As Teradar prepares to bring its terahertz radar technology to market, it stands at the forefront of a potential revolution in automotive safety, with hopes of significantly reducing accidents caused by visibility issues on the road.
