# Ep. 48 | Argo AI's Hardware VP Talks Autonomous Vehicles and Single Photon Lidar

- Show: [Moore's Lobby](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby)
- Published: 2022-06-21
- Length: 53m
- Episode: 8
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-21-ep-48-argo-ais-hardware-vp-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-single-photon-lidar
- Listen: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/podcast/ep-48-argo-ais-hardware-vp-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-single-photon-lidar

## Summary

Zach Little, Argo AI's VP of Firmware and Hardware, details the company's autonomous driving technology, focusing on their in-house single-photon LiDAR developed from the acquisition of Princeton Lightwave. He explains how this Geiger-mode technology enables long-range detection of low-reflectance objects, such as black cars, which is critical for highway safety. Little also contrasts the rigorous safety and environmental ruggedization required for automotive systems with his previous experience in consumer electronics at Motorola, Microsoft, and Apple. The discussion covers the integration of these sensors with Ford and Volkswagen platforms, addressing challenges in scaling production and ensuring reliability in harsh climates like Miami and Munich.

## Chapters

- [0:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-21-ep-48-argo-ais-hardware-vp-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-single-photon-lidar#t=51) Introduction: Zach Little and Argo AI
- [1:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-21-ep-48-argo-ais-hardware-vp-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-single-photon-lidar#t=116) Zach Little's Early Engineering Career and Education
- [6:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-21-ep-48-argo-ais-hardware-vp-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-single-photon-lidar#t=393) Motorola Razor, Microsoft Windows, and Apple Camera Systems
- [15:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-21-ep-48-argo-ais-hardware-vp-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-single-photon-lidar#t=952) Joining Argo AI and the Hardware-Software Integration Challenge
- [20:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-21-ep-48-argo-ais-hardware-vp-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-single-photon-lidar#t=1247) Ruggedizing Compute and Sensor Systems for Automotive Environments
- [24:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-21-ep-48-argo-ais-hardware-vp-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-single-photon-lidar#t=1486) Argo's Single-Photon LiDAR and Princeton Lightwave Acquisition
- [31:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-21-ep-48-argo-ais-hardware-vp-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-single-photon-lidar#t=1896) LiDAR Debugging: The Zigzag Building Incident
- [37:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-21-ep-48-argo-ais-hardware-vp-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-single-photon-lidar#t=2246) Sensor Integration, Timing, and Cleaning Challenges
- [42:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-21-ep-48-argo-ais-hardware-vp-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-single-photon-lidar#t=2527) Automotive Safety Rigor: WCCA and Redundancy
- [45:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-21-ep-48-argo-ais-hardware-vp-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-single-photon-lidar#t=2728) Scaling Autonomous Fleets and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Argo AI (company)
- Princeton Lightwave (company)
- Motorola (company)
- Microsoft (company)
- Apple (company)
- Ford (company)
- Volkswagen (company)
- LiDAR (product)
- Razor (product)
- iPhone (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Cracking The Code Of Automotive Radar: An Inside Look With Arbe's Chief Radar Officer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-12-05-cracking-the-code-of-automotive-radar-an-inside-look-with-arbes-chief-radar-offi) (Over the Air)
- [The future of driving is autonomous with Dmitri Dolgov of Waymo](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-23-the-future-of-driving-is-autonomous-with-dmitri-dolgov-of-waymo) (How I Built This)
- [The Terahertz Frontier with Greg Charvat of Teradar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-07-22-the-terahertz-frontier-with-greg-charvat-of-teradar) (The Amp Hour)
- [Opto Computing R&D | Broadcom Did What, Now? | Testing Autonomous Vehicles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-08-16-opto-computing-r-d-broadcom-did-what-now-testing-autonomous-vehicles) (EE Times Current)
- [State of robotic perception with RGo Robotics' Amir Bousani](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-05-27-state-of-robotic-perception-with-rgo-robotics-amir-bousani) (The Robot Report Podcast)

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