Bitsensing secures $25M for its high-resolution radar technology in autonomous driving

Self-driving vehicles rely on numerous sensors to detect objects and their surroundings. Traditionally, this involves using cameras and lidars. However, some tech companies and startups have developed advanced high-resolution radar technology, known as 4D imaging radar, for autonomous vehicles.

One such company is Bitsensing, a South Korea-based startup. The company claims that its 4D imaging radar can be used not only for autonomous driving but also for smart cities and digital healthcare. Recently, Bitsensing raised $25 million in a Series B funding round for this high-resolution radar technology.

Bitsensing’s high-resolution 4D imaging radar provides a surround detection solution for self-driving vehicles, covering over 300 meters and offering a 50% improvement in detection range compared to conventional radars. Additionally, its traffic insight monitoring sensor (TIMOS) integrates an edge AI computing device into an intelligent transportation system (ITS) solution. For example, its 24GHz AI traffic radar, powered by Nvidia Jetson with an integrated GPU, eliminates the need for external PCs and cables. TIMOS, now used in six countries, monitors up to 12 lanes of traffic and detects vehicles, safety issues like jaywalking, wrong-way driving, speed violations, and stationary vehicles.

Bitsensing also aims to apply its radar technology to digital health, particularly sleep care. The radar can monitor sleep quality, apnea, and limb movements, providing data analysis about users’ sleep conditions. “For health tech, we provide the radar hardware and APIs for companies to integrate sleep monitoring into their software,” Lee said. Currently, this solution is being introduced in senior care facilities and hospitals in South Korea, Singapore, and Japan.

Bitsensing is currently in a revenue growth phase, seeking global expansion through strategic partnerships, offering hardware, software, data, and licensing contracts. Despite delays in the commercialization of autonomous driving technology, Lee believes the transition to software-defined vehicles (SDV) will drive a rapid expansion in the market for imaging radar and advanced radar.

Investors in Bitsensing’s latest funding round include Korea Development Bank, HL Mando Corporation, Industrial Bank of Korea, and Aju Capital, bringing the total raised to $46 million since its inception.