Ouster through the years: from its origins to 2026

Ouster was founded in 2015 to develop digital lidar sensors using semiconductor-based architectures rather than relying solely on mechanically complex traditional designs.

How Ouster developed

It expanded across automotive, robotics, industrial and infrastructure applications and completed an all-stock merger with longtime lidar company Velodyne in February 2023, retaining the Ouster name.

Ouster in 2026

By 2026, Ouster sold digital lidar hardware and software for machines and infrastructure that need accurate three-dimensional perception.

Why the history matters

The Velodyne combination marked a consolidation phase in lidar after years of heavy investment, while demand broadened beyond autonomous cars into mapping, smart infrastructure and industrial automation.