Ouster Achieves Major Automotive Grade Milestone with Enhanced Digital Lidar Portfolio
Ouster, Inc. announced the launch of upgraded lidar sensors featuring improved reliability and a standard two-year warranty. These sensors are now automotive-grade qualified to operate in extreme conditions, including temperatures as low as negative 40 degrees Celsius. The enhanced reliability is a result of rigorous testing, leading to better thermal cycling performance and added resistance to shock and vibration. Additionally, a definitive merger agreement with Colonnade Acquisition Corp. (CLA) was established, which is expected to close in the first half of 2021, making Ouster publicly listed.
- Upgraded lidar sensors with improved reliability and a two-year warranty.
- Sensors qualified for automotive-grade use in extreme temperatures.
- Significant growth from customers in industrial automation and robotics.
- The completion of the merger with CLA is subject to customary closing conditions.
Ouster, Inc. (“Ouster”), a leading provider of high-performance digital lidar sensors, today announced the roll out of upgraded sensors with improved reliability and a standard two-year warranty. Importantly, the added reliability includes the “cold start” of negative 40 degrees Celsius required for automotive-grade qualification.
An active Ouster sensor in the field. (Photo: Business Wire)
“Over the past two years, we have continually achieved meaningful reliability, durability, and longevity milestones to give our customers confidence in deploying our digital lidar sensors in extreme environments,” said Angus Pacala, Co-Founder and CEO of Ouster. “Our simplified digital architecture removes a large number of discrete components that are typically found in analog systems, which in turn removes potential points of failure. The result is an incredibly robust system, and it’s one of the many reasons we’re seeing significant growth from demanding customers in industrial automation, smart infrastructure, off-road robotics, and automotive.”
Industry Leading Two-Year Warranty Reflects Reliability Achievements
During the past year, Ouster has enhanced the reliability of its digital lidar sensors to significantly extend performance in extreme environments. These benefits are being passed on to customers with an expanded two-year warranty included with every new sensor, and an optional three-year warranty add-on available for purchase. The expanded warranty coverage applies to all sensors purchased on or after February 1st, 2021.
Rigorous Testing Advances Sensor Technology
Ouster sensors are certified to IP68/69K standards, reliably performing across unpredictable weather conditions and extended outdoor use through rain, snow, hail, dust, salt spray, and fog. Our rigorous testing and failure analysis process has resulted in several improvements in the past year, including:
- Improved thermal cycling performance with better adhesives
- Improved resistance to shock and vibration with upgraded components
- Reduced minimum operating temperature through new firmware features
- Increased maximum operating temperature with improved internal thermal design
Colonnade Merger
In December, Ouster entered into a definitive merger agreement with Colonnade Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: CLA) (“CLA”) in a transaction that would result in Ouster being listed on the NYSE. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
About Ouster
Ouster invented its digital lidar in 2015 and is a leading manufacturer of high-resolution digital lidar sensors used throughout the industrial automation, smart infrastructure, robotics, and automotive industries. Ouster’s sensors are reliable, compact, affordable and highly customizable, laying the foundation for digital lidar ubiquity across endless applications and industries. Already hundreds of customers have incorporated Ouster lidar sensors in current products or those in development for imminent commercial release. For more information, visit www.ouster.com, or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This document relates to a proposed business combination (the “Business Combination”) between CLA and Ouster. This document does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the proposed Business Combination and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the Business Combination. In connection with the proposed Business Combination, CLA filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on December 22, 2020, which included a proxy statement/prospectus of CLA. CLA’s shareholders, Ouster’s stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus included in the registration statement and the amendments thereto and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed in connection with the proposed Business Combination, as these materials will contain important information about Ouster, CLA and the Business Combination. When available, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials for the proposed Business Combination will be mailed to stockholders of Ouster and shareholders of CLA as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed Business Combination. CLA shareholders and Ouster stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy statement, the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to CLA’s secretary at 1400 Centrepark Blvd, Suite 810, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, (561) 712-7860.
Participants in the Solicitation
CLA and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from CLA’s shareholders with respect to the proposed Business Combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in CLA is contained in CLA’s proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on December 22, 2020, which is available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. To the extent such holdings of CLA’s securities may have changed since that time, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC.
Ouster and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of CLA in connection with the proposed Business Combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed Business Combination is contained in CLA’s proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on December 22, 2020, which is available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the anticipated timing of the Business Combination, the products and services offered by Ouster and the markets in which it operates. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the Business Combination may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, (ii) the risk that the Business Combination may not be completed by CLA’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by CLA, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Business Combination, including the adoption of the agreement and plan of merger by the shareholders of CLA and Ouster, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following redemptions by CLA’s public shareholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, (iv) the lack of a third-party valuation in determining whether or not to pursue the proposed Business Combination, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the agreement and plan of merger, (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Business Combination on Ouster’s business relationships, performance and business generally, (vii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts and other expectations after the completion of the proposed Business Combination and (viii) the risk of downturns in the highly competitive lidar technology and related industries. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of CLA’s prospectus dated August 20, 2020 relating to its initial public offering, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the registration statement on Form S-4 and proxy statement/prospectus discussed above and other documents filed by CLA from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Ouster and CLA assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither Ouster nor CLA gives any assurance that either Ouster or CLA will achieve its expectations.
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