Most people have some understanding of how radar scanners work. Used in navigation for decades, these sensors send radio signals in every direction and measure how long it takes to be reflected, thus allowing the detection of nearby objects.
LiDAR stands for “Light Detection And Ranging” and is similar to radar but uses lasers instead. This kind of sensor became more widely known among customers when Apple started including it in their devices.
LiDAR Evolution: From Labs to Apple Devices
LiDAR sensors were already used long before Apple’s products featured them. The tech was created in the 1960s and was one of the first uses for laser beams.
LiDAR and radar work similarly, but the latter is somewhat basic and better for positioning, while the former allows for detailed 3D imaging. Also, since lasers maintain high definition at longer ranges than radar, they can be used along with radio signal scanners for more in-depth information.
Lastly, industry-grade LiDAR sensors—like the ones used in astronomy—get as large as a car, but ones intended for shorter ranges can be way smaller. Because of that, the possible uses vary widely.
Large-Scale LiDAR Uses
LiDAR was used primarily for large-scale applications like industry, government, and science for decades.
1. Space Exploration
Since its invention, LiDAR has been intended for 3D mapping. During the Apollo 15 expedition in 1971, astronauts used LiDAR sensors to map the Moon’s surface.
The same tech is still in use nowadays. The Ingenuity helicopter sent by NASA to Mars relies on LiDAR scanners for semi-autonomous operation, especially during takeoff and landing. Since it takes seven minutes for information to travel from Earth to Mars and commands to be sent back to the Red Planet, the Ingenuity needs to launch and dock on its own.
2. Deep Sea Studies
LiDAR has more terrestrial applications, too. For example, scientific ships use LiDAR scanners in their hulls to create 3D versions of the seabed.
This enables a better understanding of the ocean floor and can be used for mapping underwater mountain chains and other seafloor features. Subaquatic vehicles (manned or not) can use LiDAR for even more detailed scanning of their surroundings.
3. Ecology
While on the subject of scientific usage, LiDAR sensors can be used for environmental measurements as well. One of the first usages, back in the 1960s, was measuring natural and pollution clouds in urban spaces.
Besides that, LiDARs embedded in airplanes or satellites are also deployed to map canopies, allowing for deforestation oversight. Reforestation can also be measured by comparing the growth of trees in a specific area during a given time frame.
4. Topography and Geology
Before LiDAR sensors became widely available for industrial uses, elevation maps were created by combining regular photos and radar data. An airplane would fly over the area to be mapped, with a camera taking airborne pictures and a radar emitting radio signals.
That required a two-step approach: the radar logs had to be synchronized with the photo timestamps after the plane landed, making the task time-consuming. Using LiDAR scanners, the 3D mapping is done—pun intended—on the fly, and photos are used as an additional layer of detail.
Since different soils absorb the laser in distinct ways, this approach can also be used to study ground composition. For geologists, this means that yet another step of research becomes much faster since the LiDAR sensors partially make the onsite study.
5. Transport and Traffic
The devising and operation of traffic systems get easier with the use of LiDAR sensors as well. Interestingly, LiDAR has many applications in transportation, like measuring a precise number of vehicles that use a given pathway, so better planning can be developed for that road.
Traffic surveillance also has uses for LiDAR scanners. Fixed ones are used for real-time road condition monitoring, while movable ones can be installed as high-performance speed traps. These work better than radar-based traps as they can detect the offending vehicle’s license plate when scanning.
Consumer LiDAR Uses
Since Apple included LiDAR in their 2020 iPad Pro line, many electronics began integrating LiDAR. While no other brand uses LiDAR in its phones or tablets so far—Android manufacturers tend to preferTime-of-Flight (ToF) sensors—many electronics we use daily have LiDAR.
1. Robot Vacuums
While entry-level robot vacuums rely solely on proximity sensors and memorizing distances to do their job, thebest robot vacuumshave lots of other tech. LiDAR sensors are one of those.
For this type of device, LiDAR allows for precise environment mapping. With that information, it won’t try to suck that lost LEGO piece from the ground and can be better aware of small gaps between furniture for better cleaning.
2. Self-Driving Cars
Proximity sensors on vehicles are nothing new: they have been helping us avoid minor parking situations for decades. However, self-driving cars need advanced tech to avoid serious accidents.
Because of that, LiDAR is a crucial part of security systems in most autonomous vehicles. It allows for real-time detailed and long-ranged information on the car’s surroundings, including buildings, other vehicles, and, more importantly, people.
One notable exception is Tesla, which uses LiDAR sensors on its prototypes to fine-tune its self-driving system. The vehicles they sell only have cameras to prevent a collision. However,Tesla’s Autopilot isn’t known for its exemplary safety.
3. Architecture and Interior Design
There are manyLiDAR-enabled apps for iPhone and iPad, including some for architecture and decoration. But professionals may require more advanced tools for the task.
Dedicated LiDAR sensors allow architects and interior designers to create precise 3D maps of indoor and outdoor spaces. Using those, they save time in measurements and can better develop solutions for their customers.
LiDAR scanners for architecture also integrate with 3D modeling software used by professionals to create buildings and furniture. By having all the data together, they can ensure a project will look, in real life, as similar to the digital mockups as possible.
There’s Much More to LiDAR Than Just Apple
Apple deserves some credit for bringing technology as useful as LiDAR to the hands of its users. But LiDAR’s history didn’t start at Cupertino; neither will it end there.
Most of us rely on LiDAR sensors daily—for commuting, home cleaning, even for the building we live in—and might not even know it. Well, now you do.
