New AITO M7 moves LiDAR inside the cabin

20 August 2025

One of the tell-tale signs of a car packed with advanced driver-assistance technology has always been an unflattering bump on its roof. That bump was hiding a sensor known as LiDAR - a key component for many electric cars offering higher levels of autonomy. Chinese automaker AITO is now challenging that design convention with its all-new M7, a new EV that cleverly tucks this critical piece of hardware inside the vehicle.

AITO officially announced that its new M7 will be the first production vehicle to feature an in-cabin laser visual system. Dubbed "Limera," this new technology integrates the LiDAR sensor and a camera into a single unit housed behind the windshield. This cleans up the vehicle's exterior lines by eliminating the roof-mounted "horn" that has become common in the industry.

Unlike a standard camera that passively receives light and visual information, the Limera unit actively scans the environment ahead. It uses LiDAR to send out laser pulses and measures their return, creating a detailed 3D point cloud map of the road and any potential obstacles. Thanks to this active scanning combined with traditional image capturing, the system has a much deeper understanding of its surroundings, boosting the vehicle's ability to recognize and react to hazards.

This improved perception means better active safety features. The Limera-equipped AITO M7 introduces an Emergency Steering Assist (ESA) function. This system is especially effective in low-light conditions, where simple cameras struggle. It can identify small, irregular objects that otherwise can be missed by other sensors. AITO claims the system is so precise that it can detect an obstacle just 30 cm tall at night and bring the car to a comfortable, controlled stop from a speed of 62 mph.

The primary role of the in-cabin Limera system is to act as a specialized spotter, filling a critical gap in a car's sensory field. It is specifically designed to cover the area between 197 inches and 1,969 inches in front of the vehicle - the zone where traditional mmWave radar can sometimes be unreliable, especially when it comes to identifying stationary objects or things with unusual shapes.

By adding this layer of laser-based detection, the AITO M7 creates a more robust safety net. It is important to note that Limera is not intended to replace other sensors but to work alongside them as a supplementary system for blind-spot coverage and perception assistance.

However, due to the compact size required to fit the unit inside the cabin, the in-cabin LiDAR is not as powerful as the larger, external unit. As a result, the system currently does not support advanced urban-assisted driving functions, which require a longer detection range and a wider field of view.

Instead, the AITO M7's system will enable highway and expressway Navigation Cruise Assist (NCA) and an enhanced urban Lane Cruise Assist (LCC++). While it may not navigate complex city intersections on its own, it promises a more confident and secure driving experience on major roads. More specific details on the system's full capabilities are expected at the official launch of the all-new AITO M7.

Via