Founder Story: Cibby Pulikkaseril of Baraja
From Telecommunications to Transforming Autonomous Vehicles
Cibby Pulikkaseril's path to becoming a pioneer in LiDAR technology was anything but conventional. Born and raised in Australia, Pulikkaseril developed a passion for engineering at a young age. He pursued this interest academically, earning a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Sydney. His doctoral research focused on optical communications, a field that would later prove instrumental in his groundbreaking work at Baraja.
After completing his PhD, Pulikkaseril spent several years working as a project manager and engineer at an optical instrumentation group. This experience provided him with invaluable insights into the practical applications of optical technology and honed his skills in managing complex technical projects.
It was during his time in the telecommunications industry that Pulikkaseril began to see the potential for applying optical communications principles to solve problems in other fields. The idea that would eventually lead to Baraja's revolutionary LiDAR technology started to take shape in his mind.
A Vision Born from Cross-Industry Inspiration
The genesis of Baraja's innovative approach to LiDAR came from an unlikely source: the telecommunications industry. Pulikkaseril and his co-founder, Federico Collarte, both had backgrounds in telecom engineering. They realized that the principles used in fiber optic communications could be adapted to create a more reliable and efficient LiDAR system for autonomous vehicles.
In 2015, Pulikkaseril and Collarte founded Baraja with the ambitious goal of reinventing LiDAR technology. Their vision was to create a system that could overcome the limitations of existing LiDAR solutions, which were often bulky, expensive, and prone to failure due to their reliance on moving parts.
Pulikkaseril explained their approach in a 2018 interview: "We looked at the problem from a completely different angle. Instead of using mechanical scanning, we use the properties of light itself to steer the beams. This allows us to create a solid-state system that's much more robust and reliable."
Disrupting the Status Quo
Baraja's Spectrum-Scan™ LiDAR technology represented a radical departure from conventional LiDAR systems. Instead of using rotating mirrors or other mechanical components to steer laser beams, Baraja's system employs a prism-like optic and wavelength-tunable lasers. This approach allows for precise control of the laser beams without any moving parts, resulting in a more compact, durable, and cost-effective solution.
The innovation didn't stop there. Pulikkaseril and his team continued to refine and improve their technology. In 2022, they introduced the Spectrum HD25, which they described as a "generational leap" for automotive LiDAR. This new system incorporated advanced features like per-point Doppler measurements, further enhancing its capabilities for autonomous vehicle perception.
Pulikkaseril's technical expertise was crucial in developing these innovations. He leveraged his deep understanding of optical systems to overcome challenges that had long plagued the LiDAR industry. "We're not just iterating on existing technology," he stated in a 2021 press release. "We're fundamentally rethinking how LiDAR should work to meet the needs of autonomous vehicles."
Building in the Face of Opposition
Despite the promise of their technology, Pulikkaseril and his team faced significant challenges in the early days of Baraja. The autonomous vehicle industry was already crowded with established LiDAR companies, and many were skeptical of a new entrant claiming to have solved long-standing problems.
Pulikkaseril recalled in a 2020 interview: "We heard 'no' a lot in the beginning. People thought our approach was too radical, that it couldn't possibly work as well as we claimed. But we knew we were onto something big, and we just kept pushing forward."
This persistence paid off. By 2019, Baraja had raised $32 million in a Series A funding round, followed by another $31 million in a Series B round in 2021. These investments provided crucial resources for further development and commercialization of their technology.
Pivotal Partnerships
A major turning point for Baraja came in 2021 when they partnered with Veoneer, a leading automotive technology company. This collaboration was a strong validation of Baraja's technology and opened doors to potential integration with major automotive manufacturers.
Emil Hällstig, an executive at Veoneer, explained their decision: "We initially chose to partner with Baraja after extensively evaluating 70 LiDAR technology companies globally. Baraja was selected based on the robust technology and product roadmap that lends itself to be among the smallest-size LiDAR technology to enable large-scale vehicle integration."
This partnership was followed by another significant development in 2023 when Oshkosh Corporation, a major manufacturer of specialty vehicles, invested in Baraja. These strategic relationships have positioned Baraja as a serious contender in the automotive LiDAR market.
Innovation Philosophy
Pulikkaseril's approach to innovation is deeply rooted in his technical background and his belief in challenging conventional wisdom. He often emphasizes the importance of looking at problems from new angles and being willing to question established methods.
In a 2022 interview, he shared his philosophy: "Innovation isn't just about incremental improvements. Sometimes, you need to step back and ask if there's a completely different way to solve the problem. That's what we did with LiDAR, and it's an approach I encourage in all aspects of our work at Baraja."
This mindset extends to how Pulikkaseril builds and leads his team. He believes in fostering a culture of curiosity and continuous learning. "We're not just looking for great engineers," he explained. "We want people who are passionate about solving hard problems and aren't afraid to think differently."
Industry Impact
Baraja's innovations have had a significant impact on the LiDAR industry. Their Spectrum-Scan™ technology has set new benchmarks for precision, range, and reliability in autonomous vehicle perception.
The company's achievements have been recognized by industry experts. In 2022, global analyst firm Frost & Sullivan named Baraja the 'Winner of the Global Automotive LiDAR New Product Innovation Award'. This accolade underscored the company's growing influence in the automotive technology sector.
Pulikkaseril's work has also contributed to changing perceptions about what's possible in LiDAR technology. As one industry analyst noted in a 2023 report: "Baraja's approach has forced the entire industry to reconsider long-held assumptions about LiDAR design. It's not an exaggeration to say they've helped reshape the trajectory of autonomous vehicle development."
Defining Moments
Several key events have shaped Baraja's trajectory under Pulikkaseril's leadership:
- Technology Breakthrough (2016): Pulikkaseril and Collarte successfully demonstrated their first prototype of the Spectrum-Scan™ LiDAR system. This proof-of-concept was a crucial milestone that validated their novel approach.
- Series A Funding (2019): Baraja secured $32 million in funding, led by Sequoia China and Main Sequence Ventures. This investment provided the resources needed to scale up development and begin engaging with potential automotive partners.
- Veoneer Partnership (July 19, 2021): The announcement of Baraja's partnership with Veoneer marked a significant step towards commercialization. It demonstrated that a major player in the automotive industry saw the potential in Baraja's technology.
- Spectrum HD25 Launch (October 2022): The introduction of the Spectrum HD25, with its advanced features like per-point Doppler measurements, showcased Baraja's continued innovation and commitment to pushing the boundaries of LiDAR technology.
Legacy and Future Vision
As Baraja continues to grow and evolve, Pulikkaseril remains focused on the long-term impact of their work. He envisions a future where LiDAR technology plays a crucial role not just in autonomous vehicles, but in a wide range of applications that require precise 3D sensing.
"We're just scratching the surface of what's possible with our technology," Pulikkaseril stated in a recent interview. "Beyond automotive, we see potential applications in areas like robotics, industrial automation, and smart city infrastructure. Our goal is to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible with LiDAR."
Pulikkaseril's journey from telecommunications engineer to LiDAR innovator serves as an inspiring example of how cross-disciplinary thinking can lead to groundbreaking advancements. His work at Baraja has not only contributed to the development of safer autonomous vehicles but has also challenged the entire LiDAR industry to think differently about sensor technology.
Closing Thoughts
Cibby Pulikkaseril's story is a testament to the power of innovative thinking and perseverance in the face of skepticism. By applying principles from telecommunications to the challenge of autonomous vehicle perception, he and his team at Baraja have created a technology that could fundamentally change how we approach LiDAR.
Pulikkaseril's journey offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and innovators in any field. It underscores the importance of looking beyond conventional wisdom, the value of cross-disciplinary approaches, and the need for resilience in the face of initial doubts and setbacks.
As Pulikkaseril often says, "The biggest breakthroughs often come from questioning the fundamental assumptions in an industry. Don't be afraid to ask 'why not?' when everyone else is saying 'that's just how it's done.'" This philosophy, combined with technical expertise and entrepreneurial drive, has positioned Baraja at the forefront of the autonomous vehicle revolution, with the potential to reshape the future of transportation and beyond.
References
- https://www.cbinsights.com/company/baraja
- https://www.startupdaily.net/topic/business/self-driving-tech-startup-baraja-just-shed-75-of-its-workforce/
- https://www.baraja.com/en/company
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rub%C3%A9n_Baraja
- https://www.baraja.com/en
- https://www.mseq.vc/msv-company-page/baraja
- https://optics.org/news/13/10/27
- https://www.baraja.com/en/blog/baraja-award-round-up-2022
- https://www.investors.oshkoshcorp.com/news/oshkosh-corporation-invests-in-lidar-technology-company-baraja/0959c11c-35c5-4380-969e-84da311544f4
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/veoneer-partners-with-baraja-to-deliver-spectrum-scan-lidar-for-next-generation-autonomous-vehicles-301336230.html