David Hall Unveils Cam-Lidar Drone Defense System

David S. Hall, the inventor behind lidar for autonomous vehicles and founder of Velodyne Lidar, has introduced Cam-Lidar, a new high-speed aerial detection system, announced in a press release. The technology is the first product from Hall Lidar Inc., a Montana-based company Hall established earlier this year.

Cam-Lidar integrates lidar, camera optics, and artificial intelligence to detect and track aerial objects such as drones at distances up to two kilometers. The system synchronizes lidar and camera feeds at 60 frames per second, providing real-time spatial visualization and predictive tracking. It can identify objects as small as a laptop moving at speeds near Mach 1.

The technology is designed to work alongside Hall’s proprietary magnetic electrical launch (MEL) system, which can deploy net-based drone capture tools multiple times per second. Together, the systems aim to deliver rapid, precise, and cost-effective drone neutralization for security applications including airports, energy facilities, and military bases.

Hall Lidar has developed a working Cam-Lidar prototype and is now accepting early orders and demonstration appointments from commercial and government partners.