RadarIQ Aims to Bring Affordable mmWave Radar to Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ROS, and More
$320 mmRadar sensor modules offer USB and TTL UART connectivity to a range of controlling devices.
Millimeter radar (mmRadar) specialist RadarIQ has launched a crowdfunding campaign through which it aims to bring its high-accuracy sensors to makers, tinkerers, and engineers around the globe.
"Up until now, working with radar can be difficult and expensive for everyday makers and engineers. Radar has been the domain of specialist engineers and the automotive industry," claims co-founder Aaron Fulton. "This all changes today."
"RadarIQ sensors are designed to be affordable, and very easy to use - get started in under 15 minutes! What’s more, these sensors are not for prototype only but are ready to be integrated directly into production systems. These sensors are designed with simplicity in mind and can even see through walls!"
A large part of the RadarIQ promise is that its platform handles data processing, taking the raw radar measurements — "not enough for real-world use," Fulton explains — and turning them into a simple representation of sensed objects. This is supported by bundled software, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
The RadarIQ sensors themselves use frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar in the 60-64GHz spectrum, limited to a 10m range - to provide, the company claims, as high an accuracy for close-up tasks as possible, with a 110 degree horizontal and 15 degree field of view and up-to-30 frames per second refresh rate.
The data returned include distance, speed, and orientation for multiple objects. The company claims the modules are compatible with everything from ROS-based robots and Raspberry Pi single-board computers through to low-power Arduino microcontrollers via USB and TTL UART buses.
The modules are available to fund on Kickstarter, ahead of an estimated April 2021 delivery date, priced at NZ$320 (around $211) each.