Lidar specialist MicroVision and Dutch drone developer Avular have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to integrate MicroVision's solid-state lidar and perception software with Avular's modular drone platforms, targeting autonomous missions for civil infrastructure and public safety across the U.S. and Europe.
Combining perception and platforms
Under the agreement, Avular leads drone system design, the autonomous flight stack and integration, while MicroVision supplies lidar hardware, perception software and autonomous mapping. A joint steering committee will guide strategy and customer engagement. The pairing brings together MicroVision's automotive-grade sensors with Avular's NVIDIA Jetson-powered Vertex One aerial platform.
Built for hard environments
The collaboration focuses on autonomous mission execution in GPS-denied environments, high-fidelity 3D modeling and terrain mapping, collision avoidance in dense settings, and safe launch and landing in unknown locations. Target applications include traffic management, first responders, facility security and infrastructure inspection. A first joint capability demonstration will validate the integrated system in realistic operational conditions.
A wider push into autonomous sensing
For MicroVision, the deal extends a busy stretch of commercialization that also includes its master development agreement for autonomous hauling using IRIS and HALO lidar. The drone tie-up reflects intensifying demand for resilient, GPS-denied autonomy seen across the unmanned-systems sector, from VisionWave's GPS-denied ground vehicles to Red Cat's Hellcat small drones.
Why it matters
Reliable perception in degraded or contested environments is the gating factor for many commercial drone use cases. By bundling mature lidar with a modular European-built airframe, the two companies aim to move from standalone components toward production-ready, deployable systems for western markets.
Reporting based on coverage from MicroVision, Avular and ACCESS Newswire.