Ouster, Seneca to Equip Autonomous Drones With Lidar for Wildfire Response Operations

07:47 AM EDT, 10/01/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Ouster (OUST) will integrate its Rev8 OS1 Max native color digital lidar into Seneca's autonomous drone platform for wildfire response operations, the lidar sensor company said Thursday. The lidar is intended to improve 3D perception, navigation and obstacle avoidance, enabling Seneca's drones to operate in challenging conditions such as smoke, dust, changing terrain and limited visibility, Ouster said. Seneca plans to use the drones to carry cargo to fire lines, conduct terrain-following for mapping and vegetation management, and inspect structures and utility infrastructure, Ouster added. Ouster shares were up 1.9% in premarket activity.