The next generation of navigation sensors

We fuse LiDAR, RADAR and AI into compact, lightweight sensors — shared-aperture systems that see clearly through fog, dust and rain, made possible by Skymesh™, our transparent metamaterial film. Built for UAVs, drones, robots and autonomous vehicles.

UAV carrying a compact LiDAR + RADAR fusion sensor
One material changes everything LiDAR, RADAR, heating and antennas — all through a single transparent surface, enabled by our Skymesh™ metamaterial film.

Meet Tycho

A fusion sensor system built for flight

Tycho is a compact, lightweight LiDAR + RADAR sensor-fusion system for UAVs and drones. By placing both sensors behind a single transparent aperture and fusing their data with AI models, Tycho delivers an accurate, all-weather depiction of the environment — in a fraction of the size and weight of separate sensors.

Shared-aperture LiDAR + RADAR

Both sensors look through a single transparent surface — co-boresighted, no parallax.

AI sensor fusion

Fusion models combine the two streams into one accurate, real-time picture of the environment.

Compact, lighter, more efficient

One integrated module replaces two separate sensors — critical for UAV size, weight and power.

Transparent defogging

Built-in transparent heating clears fog and ice — without obstructing the LiDAR or radar signals.

Why fusion

The best of both worlds

Working fusion demonstrator

Our demonstrator, currently at TRL 5, fuses a live LiDAR and RADAR feed into a single real-time view — range, closing velocity and direction — the foundation of Tycho’s perception stack.

LiDAR

High-resolution 3D detail — but degrades in fog, dust and rain.

RADAR

All-weather range and velocity — but coarse angular resolution.

Fused by AI

Together, and fused intelligently, they cover each other’s blind spots for a clearer, more reliable picture.

Technology

What sets us apart

Our differentiator is Skymesh™ — a transparent metamaterial film we've spent over a decade developing and optimising: how to design it, how to manufacture it at scale and low cost, and how to integrate it into real-world systems.

Skymesh™ — transparent metamaterial mesh

A lithographically-defined micro-mesh that is optically transparent yet electrically conductive — enabling the shared aperture, transparent antennas, and transparent defogging that heats the surface to clear fog and ice without obstructing the LiDAR or radar signals. Its geometry is also engineered to suppress interference such as diffraction.

AI fusion perception models

Models that fuse LiDAR and RADAR into one accurate, real-time picture of the environment. LiDAR resolves precise 3D shape and position; RADAR adds direct velocity and works through fog, rain and dust — together, robust to weather and clutter, with redundancy for safety.

Mesh–electronics integration

Proven know-how to interface and integrate metal meshes with conventional circuits and PCBs — optimized for efficiency and low loss.

Scaled manufacturing

Through trusted manufacturing partners we produce Skymesh™ quickly (under 3 months), at volume and low cost, using a proprietary, optimized roll-to-roll lithographic process.

Applications

Where Tycho fits

UAVs & drones

Compact, lightweight, all-weather perception for beyond-visual-line-of-sight flight and autonomy.

Automotive

Shared-aperture LiDAR + RADAR behind the glass for Level 3+ driver assistance and autonomy.

Defense & security

Unobtrusive, all-weather sensing for counter-UAS and protected platforms.

Industrial & robotics

Reliable perception in dust, condensation and low visibility for outdoor autonomy.

An experienced team

We are industry professionals across optics, RF, electronics, prototyping and AI/ML, that combine deep expertise in metamaterials and the manipulation of light, radio waves and heat and deliver practical, scalable innovations. For over a decade the team has helped shape the commercialisation of metamaterials and transparent meshes — see a selection of invited talks.

50+
Years combined experience
100+
Patents
20+
Demonstrators delivered
$20M+
Value delivered

Articles & case studies

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Technical deep-dives from our work on transparent metamaterial-mesh sensors and antennas.

See more, in a smaller, lighter sensor

Talk to us about Tycho, a programme, or a partnership.