According to Semiconductor Today, Voyant Photonics has brought on former Valeo executive Clément Nouvel as CEO to lead the company through its transition from development to large-scale commercialization. The Long Island City-based company specializes in on-chip FMCW LiDAR technology that integrates everything onto silicon photonics chips. Nouvel brings nearly a decade of LiDAR and automotive sensing experience from his time at Valeo, where he saw firsthand the scaling challenges of traditional systems. Voyant plans to deliver its first solutions in 2026 with initial pricing starting at $1,490 per unit.
Sponsored content — provided for informational and promotional purposes.
This could seriously disrupt the LiDAR space
Here’s the thing about traditional LiDAR systems – they’re big, expensive, and notoriously difficult to scale. Companies have been trying to crack the cost and size problem for years. Voyant’s approach basically throws out the conventional playbook by putting everything on silicon chips, similar to how camera sensors evolved. That $1,490 starting price might still sound high, but compared to the tens of thousands that automotive-grade LiDAR systems can cost, it’s a massive step toward affordability.
The Valeo connection is telling
Nouvel coming from Valeo isn’t just a random hire. Valeo is one of the few companies that actually managed to get LiDAR into mass production for automotive applications. So when someone with that background jumps ship to a startup focused on chip-scale LiDAR, it suggests he sees something fundamentally different here. He’s been through the scaling nightmares of traditional systems and apparently believes Voyant’s approach solves those problems. That’s a pretty strong endorsement from someone who knows exactly how hard this industry is.
This isn’t just about cars anymore
Look at what Nouvel said about “autonomous everything.” That’s the real play here. While early LiDAR was all about self-driving cars, the market has shifted. Now we’re talking warehouse robots, drones, smart infrastructure, even AR glasses. But here’s the problem – you can’t put a $75,000 spinning LiDAR unit on a warehouse robot or a pair of glasses. The economics just don’t work. Voyant’s betting that by bringing costs down to camera-sensor levels, they can unlock thousands of applications that were previously impossible.
Who wins and who loses here?
If Voyant delivers on its promises, the traditional mechanical LiDAR companies could be in serious trouble. Companies that built their entire business around bulky, expensive systems might find themselves competing against chip-scale solutions that are cheaper, more reliable, and easier to integrate. On the flip side, this could be huge for robotics companies, drone manufacturers, and anyone building smart infrastructure. Suddenly having high-quality 3D sensing that doesn’t break the bank or require complex installation could accelerate adoption across multiple industries. The question is whether Voyant can actually hit its 2026 timeline and deliver at scale. Plenty of LiDAR startups have promised revolutionary technology only to stumble when it comes to manufacturing.
