LiDAR is an acronym for “Light Detection And Ranging”. LiDAR is an advanced technology that uses laser light to detect the distance of objects.
The laser beam is sent to the object in the form of a pulse and is projected to return by reflecting. The distance is calculated by taking the difference between the sending time and the return time. High sensitivity sensor is used to detect the returning light.
Standard cameras display 2D imaging. It is not possible to measure on a 2-dimensional image. LiDAR is able to extract a 3-D image of the environment, spending much less energy than cameras.
For imaging with cameras, lighting or infrared light is needed in the environment. Since lidar itself is a light source, the environment does not have to be bright for it to work.
One of the prominent uses areas of LiDAR are autonomous vehicles. LiDAR is like the eye of autonomous vehicles. LiDAR sensors placed on vehicles send photons of light into the environment. Photons return by hitting vehicles, pedestrians or objects in the environment. In this way, the location and distance of all the surrounding elements can be determined.
Classic radar, used since the past, uses radio waves for measurement and is much cheaper than Lidar. But LiDAR has the ability to measure with higher accuracy and detect smaller objects.
LiDAR technology uses laser beams that do not pose a danger to the eye. LiDAR technology can extract the x, y, z coordinates of any object it interacts with.
LiDAR is used in industries such as construction, power transmission, mining, archaeology, transport, defence and aviation.
LiDAR technology is also used for speed detection in police vehicles. The laser is fired from the moving or stationary radar vehicle in a specific direction and the speed of the vehicles is determined by measuring the returning signals.
