Glossary · Sensors and measurement
LiDAR sensor
Also known as: LiDAR, Laser scanner (measuring)
German: LiDAR-Sensor
In sensor technology, a LiDAR sensor (light detection and ranging) is a sensor that measures distances by emitting laser light and evaluating the reflected light, and scans the beam to capture a 2D or 3D point cloud of its surroundings.
- Sensors
In one sentence
A LiDAR sensor scans its surroundings with laser light and measures distances to build 2D or 3D point clouds, e.g. for navigation of mobile robots.
Example
An autonomous mobile robot uses a LiDAR sensor to map the warehouse and localize itself between the racks.
How it applies
- Engineering: LiDAR provides geometry data for navigation, object detection, volume measurement and collision avoidance. Range, angular resolution, scan rate and behavior in dust, rain or sunlight are key selection criteria.
- Data: Point clouds are large; processing is done in the sensor, on an edge device or in the controller. Timestamps and coordinate frames must be consistent with other sensors.
- Safety: A navigation LiDAR is not automatically a protective device. Person detection for safeguarding requires a rated device such as a Safety laser scanner used in a designed safety function.
- Documentation: State the laser class, the function of each scanner (navigation or protection) and cleaning requirements for the optics.
LiDAR sensor vs. radar sensor
LiDAR offers higher spatial resolution. A Radar sensor is less affected by dust, fog and rain but resolves fine geometry less well.