LanceDB is a vector database and columnar data store designed to function as a versioned dataset manager and vector search engine. It serves as a high-performance backend for indexing and retrieving high-dimensional embeddings, providing the foundation for machine learning data pipelines.
The system distinguishes itself through a combination of cloud-native object storage and immutable version tracking, allowing for data time-travel and reproducible AI experiments. It integrates hybrid search capabilities, merging dense vector similarity with BM25 full-text search and SQL-like scalar filters into a single ranked result set.
The project covers a broad range of capabilities, including automated vector embedding generation, multimodal data ingestion, and large-scale feature engineering. Its search surface includes approximate nearest neighbor indexing, precision reranking, and late-interaction multivector retrieval. Additionally, it provides tools for dataset curation, model evaluation, and zero-copy data streaming for training loops.
The database is accessible via multi-language SDKs and a standardized REST API, supporting deployments across local filesystems and cloud object storage providers.
