3D Ultrasonic Sensors for Robot Safety

Sonair Secures $6M Investment to Deploy Revolutionary 3D Ultrasonic Sensors for Robotic Safety

Addressing the Critical Need for Safe Human-Robot Collaboration

The rapid integration of autonomous robots into warehouses, healthcare facilities, and public areas creates an urgent demand for safe human-machine interaction. Sonair’s ADAR sensor technology directly meets this challenge. The company’s recent $6 million funding round will accelerate global market penetration and establish a new standard for robotic perception systems.

Revolutionary Acoustic Sensing Technology Reaches Global Markets

Following its successful market introduction earlier this year, the ADAR (acoustic detection and ranging) sensor is now shipping to manufacturers across Asia, Europe, and North America. This innovative system employs airborne sound waves to provide robots with accurate, real-time three-dimensional environmental awareness. This capability enables safe operation in shared human-robot spaces.

Industry-First Safety Certification Achieved

Sonair is achieving safety certification to PLd ISO13849 and SIL IEC 61508 standards. This represents a groundbreaking achievement for 3D ultrasonic sensing technology. The company is strategically positioned to address increasing worldwide demand for certified safe robotic systems.

Strategic Investment Fuels Global Expansion

The $6 million investment round attracted both existing and new international investors. Copenhagen-based Scale Capital and Norway’s state-supported Investinor joined the funding. RunwayFBU (part of the Aker group) significantly increased its investment, while SINTEF and ProVenture continued their support. This strengthened financial backing provides Sonair with the resources needed for worldwide deployment and sustained growth.

Leadership Perspective on Robotic Safety Integration

Knut Sandven, CEO and co-founder of Sonair, emphasized the fundamental importance of safety in robotics. “True human-robot collaboration requires safety integration from the initial design phase,” Sandven stated. “ADAR offers manufacturers a practical and cost-efficient solution to achieve this essential safety standard.”

Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Sensing Technologies

Sonair’s patented ultrasound technology delivers precise 3D perception capabilities at significantly lower costs than LiDAR systems. After rigorous testing with more than thirty international companies, the technology now focuses on autonomous mobile robots in logistics and manufacturing sectors. This market segment is projected to reach $15.6 billion by 2030.

Market Forces Driving Adoption

Several key factors are accelerating demand for human-robot collaboration technologies. These include expanding warehouse automation, persistent labor shortages, and evolving safety regulations. In the United States alone, warehouse workers experienced 4.7 injuries per 100 full-time employees during 2023. This figure nearly doubles the average across private industry sectors.

Technical Advantages for Safer Robotics

ADAR’s unique combination of safe 3D object detection, comprehensive vertical viewing, and minimal computational demands enables safer robotic navigation. The system reduces operational risks without introducing additional complexity or cost to robotic systems.

Customer Validation Across Industries

FUJI CORPORATION in Japan is developing autonomous robots for retail environments using Sonair’s technology. “Our comprehensive testing confirmed the exceptional suitability of these sensors for autonomous mobile robots,” stated Koji Kawaguchi, General Manager of the Innovation Promotion Department at FUJI CORPORATION.

Another European customer implementing cleaning robots for commercial buildings also relies on Sonair’s technology. Both applications prioritize safety as robots operate in human-populated environments.

Investor Confidence in Technology and Execution

Investment partners highlight Sonair’s rapid transition from patent portfolio to commercial production as evidence of both technical superiority and operational excellence.

Strategic Investor Perspectives

Terkel Douglas, Investment Manager at Scale Capital, explained their investment rationale. “Sonair simplifies robot safety implementation. As robots become increasingly common in daily operations, safety becomes paramount. Sonair’s technological advancements in sensing represent significant progress for the robotics industry, delivering safety and cost efficiency simultaneously.”

Egil Garberg, Investment Director at Investinor, emphasized the fundamental importance of safety. “Widespread robot adoption in everyday settings requires non-negotiable safety standards. Sonair’s patented ADAR technology combines technical innovation with clear commercial viability. We believe the team possesses unique capabilities to capture substantial opportunities in the rapidly expanding autonomous machines market.”

Jesper Hart-Hansen, General Partner at T|Y|R.vc, highlighted the broad application potential. “The autonomous vehicles and machinery sector presents substantial opportunities. Sonair’s differentiated technology enables manufacturers to develop safe, affordable solutions with applications spanning both commercial and defense sectors.”

Application Scenario: Warehouse Safety Implementation

Consider a logistics warehouse where autonomous mobile robots navigate alongside human workers. Traditional safety systems often struggle with detecting transparent objects, low-lying obstacles, or operate effectively in challenging environmental conditions. By implementing Sonair’s ADAR sensors, these robots gain reliable 3D perception that detects all material types consistently. The system provides complete vertical coverage to identify overhead hazards and low-lying objects that might escape conventional sensors. This comprehensive awareness prevents collisions, reduces workplace injuries, and maintains operational efficiency without requiring expensive infrastructure modifications.

Author’s Insight: The Economics of Robotic Safety

The emergence of cost-effective safety solutions like Sonair’s ADAR technology represents a pivotal moment for robotics adoption. Historically, sophisticated safety systems carried prohibitive costs that limited deployment to high-value applications. By delivering certified safety at a fraction of traditional costs, Sonair addresses one of the most significant barriers to widespread robotics implementation. This economic accessibility, combined with rigorous safety certification, creates a compelling value proposition that could accelerate robotics integration across medium and small-sized enterprises. The technology demonstrates that safety and affordability are not mutually exclusive in advanced robotics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does ADAR technology differ from traditional ultrasonic sensors?
ADAR provides full 3D spatial awareness with safety certification, unlike conventional ultrasonic sensors that typically offer limited single-point distance measurement capabilities.

What makes ADAR more cost-effective than LiDAR for robotic applications?
The system utilizes sophisticated ultrasound technology that achieves similar 3D perception capabilities at significantly lower production costs while maintaining safety certification standards.

Which industries benefit most from this technology?
Logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and commercial cleaning sectors represent primary beneficiaries where human-robot collaboration is increasingly necessary.

What safety standards does the ADAR sensor meet?
The technology is certified to PLd ISO13849 and SIL IEC 61508 standards, representing the highest safety levels for industrial robotic applications.

How does the sensor perform in challenging environmental conditions?
Unlike optical systems, ultrasound technology reliably operates in conditions with dust, smoke, variable lighting, and can detect transparent objects that challenge vision-based systems.