​​Kudan and Vecow Reach the First Milestone on Their Partnership and Release Joint Product for Mobile Mapping

~ A complete mapping solution of software and hardware integrated ~

Kudan Inc. (headquarters in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO Daiu Ko, hereafter “Kudan”), a leading provider of real-time simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) software, and Vecow Co., Ltd (hereafter “Vecow”), a team of global embedded experts with its headquarter based in Taiwan, are delighted to announce the initial target milestone in their partnership. The companies are thrilled to introduce a new generation of mobile mapping dev kit that harnesses the core technologies of both entities. This jointly developed mapping solution is poised to cater to the growing demand for capturing precise and comprehensive 3D environmental information across diverse industries.

The release of the mobile mapping dev kit marks the first milestone in the partnership expansion between Kudan and Vecow, as previously revealed in the release “Kudan and Vecow Expand Strategic Partnership to Address Growing Demands of Outdoor Autonomous Mobility and Mobile Mapping Applications“.

The spotlight on SLAM-based 3D mobile mapping has surged in recent years, with its ability to capture 3D data automatically while the mobile platform (such as humans, vehicles, robots, or drones) traverses through the scene. This technology finds a wide range of applications, such as Smart Cities and Urban Planning, ICT-based Construction, Infrastructure Inspection and Maintenance, Stockpile Management in Mining and Quarrying, and Emergency Response and Disaster Management.

Different from TLS(Terrestrial Laser Scanning)-based 3D mapping, which utilizes stationary laser scanners and is time-consuming for capturing precise data of static scenes, SLAM-based 3D mobile mapping has gained market attraction due to its real-time and efficient mapping of vast areas. However, SLAM-based 3D mobile mapping has been in general not as precise as TLS-based approach due to the inherent noise and uncertainties in mobile sensor data. This is why an industrial-grade SLAM, which is capable of multiple sensor fusion, becomes crucial to get closer to the precision of TLS-based approach while still maintaining the benefits of fast mapping.

In the realm of multiple sensor fusion, time synchronization plays a pivotal role in ensuring precise alignment of all sensor data in the temporal domain. This critical process enables the precise association of sensor measurements with corresponding landmarks or features in the environment, effectively reducing errors during data processing. Additionally, time synchronization significantly contributes to achieving invaluable motion estimation and loop closure※ detection, resulting in a marked enhancement in the accuracy, reliability, and overall quality of SLAM-based mapping outcomes.

The jointly developed mapping solution is a back-pack/handheld type of 3D mapping device, which leverages Kudan’s exclusive 3D-Lidar SLAM (KdLidar) with multi-sensor fusion technology, together with Vecow’s rugged VCM-1000F controller for precise time synchronization and efficient computing.

The mapping dev kit possesses the ability to efficiently and robustly generate precise 3D point clouds in various environments, including GNSS-denied areas. This makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, such as forest survey, facade survey, infrastructure maintenance, underground survey, industrial digital twin, facility asset management, volume measurement, and ICT construction.

The mapping dev kit, in conjunction with KudanStudio software, offers a user-friendly interface and streamlined workflows, making it accessible to users of all levels. This intuitive design allows anyone to conduct proper data collection and swiftly generate highly accurate 3D point clouds with precision up to 1cm, without the need for specialized skills. Moreover, the system supports detailed parameter settings in data post-processing, facilitating the creation of optimal 3D point clouds with varying densities and sizes for specific use cases, while preserving the original raw data for reusability. Additionally, the inclusion of the map handling function automates the seamless merging of multiple point cloud data, ensuring efficient point cloud maintenance and data utilization across wide areas.

Kudan – Vecow Mobile Mapping Dev Kit Specification:

To know more about this mapping solution, please contact us here.
To learn more about Vecow VCM-1000 series, please see here.

“Through our collaboration, it is not limited to a single hardware or software; rather, it encompasses a complete solution of software and hardware integration, showcasing the technical strength of both parties,” said Alex Liu, BDM of Vecow. “Vecow’s time synchronization technology will be combined with Kudan’s SLAM of 3D-Lidar mapping and sensor fusion capabilities, aiming to enhance the accuracy and robustness of sensor data for outdoor autonomous mobile robots and vehicles. We are excited about the prospects of further business alliances with Kudan.”

“The release of this joint mapping solution stands as a remarkable exemplar of the potency of collaboration and the value in integrating cutting-edge technologies,” said Tian Hao, Director & COO of Kudan. “Featuring a sophisticated algorithm and advanced sensor fusion capabilities, Kudan SLAM can serve versatile applications across various industries. Together with Vecow, we are committed to continuing to empower the industry by leveraging the partnership with technologies from both parties. We believe that innovation knows no bounds when visionary companies unite”

※Loop closure: refers to the process of detecting and correcting the accumulated errors in the estimated trajectory and map when revisiting a previously visited location.

About Vecow.
Vecow is a team of global embedded experts and we aim to be your trusted embedded business partner. Vecow is committed to designing, developing, producing, and supplying high-quality AIoT solutions with trusted reliability, advanced technology, and innovative concepts. Our products include AI-ready Inference Systems, AI Computing Systems, Fanless Embedded Systems, Vehicle Computing Systems, Robust Computing Systems, Single Board Computers, Multi-Touch Computers/Displays, Frame Grabbers, Embedded Peripherals and Design & Manufacturing Services for Machine Vision, Autonomous Vehicle, Smart Robotics, Digital Rail, Public Security, Transportation & V2X, Smart Factory, Deep Learning, and any Edge AI applications.
Vecow is a subsidiary of Ennoconn Corporation (6414. TW) in Taiwan, a global leader of industrial hardware systems and solutions provider to various vertical market applications. Ennoconn Corporation is a member of the Foxconn Group.

For more information, please refer to Vecow’s website at
https://www.vecow.com/dispPageBox/vecow/VecowHp.aspx?ddsPageID=VECOW_EN.

About Kudan Inc.
Kudan is a deep tech research and development company specializing in algorithms for artificial perception (AP). As a complement to artificial intelligence (AI), AP functions allow machines to develop autonomy. Currently, Kudan is using its high-level technical innovation to explore business areas based on its own milestone models established for deep tech which provide wide-ranging impact on several major industrial fields.
For more information, please refer to Kudan’s website at https://www.kudan.io/.

■Company Details
Name: Kudan Inc.
Securities Code: 4425 (TSE Growth)
Representative: CEO Daiu Ko

■For more details, please contact us from here.