Aeva Technologies, better known for automotive LiDAR systems, has introduced a new sensor aimed at manufacturing environments. Their Eve 1V device is a noncontact motion sensor built on frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) principles. Rather than touching the material, it emits a low-power laser whose frequency is swept. The returning signal shifts in frequency depending on distance and velocity, enabling the sensor to detect movement and speed in real time, tells IEEE Spectrum.
What makes Eve 1V compelling is its ability to measure with high repeatability and precision while avoiding the drawbacks of traditional contact tools. Measuring wheels, encoders, or probes can slip, wear out, or damage delicate surfaces. Aeva claims its system avoids these issues, reduces maintenance, and improves uptime, all while maintaining tight tolerances on factory lines.
Eve 1V complements Eve 1D, an earlier displacement sensor in Aeva’s lineup. While Eve 1D handles micro-distance measurements and vibration detection, 1V focuses on both velocity and position, broadening its industrial relevance.
In benchmarking against intrusion from ambient light, reflections, or noise, the FMCW approach holds advantages over camera or traditional laser methods. It scales from micron-level sensing to larger, millimeter motions without sacrificing accuracy. The result: clean, consistent data with fewer errors and fewer false measurements.
Aeva plans to begin full production of Eve 1V in early 2026. The company has also forged a partnership with LG Innotek to integrate its LiDAR tech into broader industrial automation, robotics, and potentially consumer electronics.
The Eve 1V is more than an incremental sensor upgrade; it’s a bold step toward replacing mechanical contact measurement methods with optical sensing, boosting reliability, precision, and flexibility in manufacturing.