Visions: A Machine Vision and Automation Solutions Podcast

AEye’s Apollo LiDAR Heads to the Moon

AEye CEO Matt Fisch explains how Apollo LiDAR was adapted to withstand launch shock, vacuum, radiation, and extreme temperatures aboard Lunar Outpost’s Pegasus Rover.

Jim Tatum

Nov. 3, 2026

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Key Highlights

AEye’s Apollo software-defined LiDAR was selected for Lunar Outpost’s Pegasus Rover.
The system must endure launch shock, vacuum, radiation, and extreme lunar temperature swings.
MEMS-based design and radiation-hardened electronics help adapt the LiDAR for space.
Reprogrammable scan patterns support autonomous navigation across the lunar surface.

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In this episode of Visions: A Machine Vision and Automation Solutions Podcast, host Jim Tatum interviews Matt Fisch, CEO of AEye, Inc., about their Apollo software-defined LiDAR being selected for Lunar Outpost's Pegasus Rover. They discuss technical challenges of adapting automotive-grade LiDAR for the lunar environment—surviving launch shock, vacuum, radiation, and massive thermal swings—and how MEMS-based design, radiation-hardened electronics, and reprogrammable scan patterns made the system suitable for autonomous lunar navigation.

Visions: A Machine Vision and Automation Solutions Podcast, is the podcast for engineers, designers, integrators, and end users who want to keep an informed eye on the imaging and machine vision industry. Every Tuesday we will explore the latest in imaging trends, developments and solutions. Here you will find interesting, useful insights and observations from expert interviews, solo episodes, even the occasional panel discussion, all of which aim to expand your knowledge on imaging and machine vision.

About the Author

Jim Tatum

Senior Editor

VSD Senior Editor Jim Tatum has more than 25 years experience in print and digital journalism, covering business/industry/economic development issues, regional and local government/regulatory issues, and more. In 2019, he transitioned from newspapers to business media full time, joining VSD in 2023.