Many technological inventions started in the aeronautics industry as engineers developed products to make flying faster and safer. As researchers explored the use of these new tools, they discovered that they had practical uses in the civilian world as well. Eventually, these products reached the consumer market. LiDAR is a great example of this process. The development of this tool was started by airplane engineers in the 1960s for submarine detection. Today, the technology is so useful that leading mobile device OEMs are introducing LiDAR-enabled smartphones to their next-gen lineups. Now anyone can carry a LiDAR scanner around in their pocket on the same mobile devices that bring them cat memes and social media challenges. You might already use LiDAR without knowing it, which highlights how useful this tool is. Get to know this technology and the practical applications that come with it.
What is LiDAR?
LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging and uses pulses of light from lasers to measure distances, which are often used to detect obstacles or used to generate 3D images. A LiDAR can be as simple as a single beam to measure a drone's altitude from the ground, or as complex as a 360 degree 3D view of an interior warehouse space. There are many uses of LiDAR across a wide range of industries. Researchers use LiDAR for aerial landscape mapping, for example, which perfectly illustrates how this technology works. For a more commercial example, if a warehouse were trying to measure all of its stock but didn't have the time to manually count and record every single item on shelves, they might turn to LiDAR. This would allow them to scan the warehouse, generate 3D models of all stored inventory and even provide a real-time system for monitoring stock changes — whether new inventory was being added, or even to prevent theft. This is just one, highly specific example of LiDAR technology. As you get to know the other uses of this tool, you will start to associate it with robotics. Robots use LIDARs to accurately measure the distance from themselves to the walls and surrounding objects. From this data, a robot can compare the resultant view with a stored map and localize itself in the space to within centimeters. Once it has localized, it can now move and navigate the space, constantly comparing what it "sees" with the LIDAR to its local map.
How LiDAR scanners work
The average consumer doesn't need to measure airborne objects' distances or large swaths of rainforest, but LiDAR has become an increasingly useful tool in modern technology nonetheless. The LiDAR scanners on smartphones are used to create better photos, especially at night and in low-light areas. These scanners also make augmented reality apps and games more fun because they can add more detail based on your surroundings — for instance, by visually placing animated objects on tables or the floor — in real time. With smartphones, LiDAR technology is highly advanced but is often used for recreational purposes. It's predominantly used for taking photos, like snapping a portrait in night mode. You can also see this technology applied in augmented reality apps and games. Consider downloading the same AR app on your iPhone and a smartphone that doesn't use LiDAR. Then compare the experiences of the app across devices to see how the LiDAR adds more detail and creates more immersive experiences for users. While many self-driving cars rely on radar, sonar and cameras to navigate the streets, advances in solid state LIDARs, and lower costs, are making LIDAR a viable option going forward. While the biggest risk with iPhone LiDAR is that your low-light selfie doesn't come out as good as you hoped, self-driving cars need a solution like LiDAR to avoid accidents that could harm passengers and cause extensive property damage.
Everyday uses for LiDAR
One of the best ways to get to know LiDAR is to see all of the practical uses of this tool. The more you see it in action, the easier it is to recognize this technology in other computer systems. Here are a few ways LiDAR helps consumers and businesses beyond aerial remote sensing.
Crowd and traffic detection
LiDAR is a key part of crowd mapping because the computer vision used by LiDAR means human analysts don't need to manually count individuals; the computer vision is able to do that for them. For example, if you visit a packed stadium to watch a sporting event or concert, LiDAR tools to count the number of people in attendance. There are multiple reasons why crowd analytics is useful. This data can alert event managers to potential safety issues if there are too many people and too few security professionals on site. Crowd analytics can also tell event managers when a venue is approaching capacity so they can stop admitting people. LiDAR can also report the presence of pedestrians and other vehicles when it is dark. While regular cameras may fail to fully register such shapes when there is not enough light around them, LiDAR is not light-sensitive in the same way and is able to detect these shapes even in darkness.
Construction and civil engineering
If you consult with a contractor on home renovations or additions to your living space, they might use LiDAR to map out the project. LiDAR systems can map your current house which can then be used to estimate the materials and labor needed to achieve your goals. As this technology becomes more common, it could lead to fewer surprise bills from contractors who need more materials than they originally thought. From a business standpoint, construction and engineering teams can use LiDAR to learn about their work sites and the potential projects they plan to take on. They can run periodic LIDAR scans of the worksite to easily measure progress.
Robotics and drone technology
LiDAR can be installed in robots of all sizes, from large self-driving cars to small household robots. Autonomous cleaning robots, like your Roomba, could become more effective when they use LiDAR to navigate your house. You also might receive your pizza order or grocery delivery via drone someday thanks to LiDAR systems. It's fun to imagine the different uses of robots in your household, but LiDAR can also assist with firefighting. Firefighters are increasingly using drones to identify the severity of fires which can help them create more detailed management plans.
Pros and cons of LiDAR
There are several benefits of incorporating LiDAR into your business operations. You can invest in software or develop tools of your own that streamline your operations and create better experiences for your customers. However, some limitations come with this technology. Here are a few things to consider:
Advantages of LiDAR
The main benefit of using LiDAR is that it can measure distances with great accuracy, and it can work in the dark. While most people might not realize they are using LiDAR when they take a smartphone photo, this technology is part of their day-to-day lives. This means you can easily train your staff on LiDAR-based tools and should be able to find industry-specific software that incorporates this technology. If not, you can work with engineers who have LiDAR experience to build the tools you need. LiDAR is also a better option compared to other sensing technologies. It is a highly flexible tool that many innovators are still exploring the use of. While LiDAR is commonly used in various applications and phones today, imagine what it can do and where it will be found a decade from now.
Challenges and limitations
Many researchers are currently working to overcome the limitations of LiDAR. One challenge is that LiDAR is affected by environmental conditions. While a self-driving car might have an easy time on the roads of sunny San Diego, it could get confused in the fog of Seattle or snow in Chicago. Some shapes can also throw off LiDAR readings. Smooth and reflective surfaces, in particular, can cause the laser pulsations to bounce differently and send incorrect information to the computer. Additionally, many business owners are worried about the price point of this technology. LiDAR systems aren't cheap, although often the smaller systems are also the more affordable options, which may help open up future applications in more locations. Fortunately, LiDAR innovation continues to move forward. With careful planning and proper implementation, your business should be able to find affordable and effective LiDAR solutions to help improve your operations.
How to utilize LiDAR technology effectively
Countless businesses can benefit from implementing LiDAR technology. LiDAR-equipped drones can be found in robots, advanced fully autonomous cars and highly accurate mapping. Restaurant owners can track their capacity levels or keep their drive-thru lanes moving. Even photographers might benefit from using LiDAR for night shoots. As you explore adding LiDAR to your suite of business solutions, keep connectivity in mind. A reliable and secure network can keep your LiDAR systems running while allowing you to run a smart business across your operations. Connectivity and security are two key elements that lay the foundation of successful digital systems. Technology always follows the same trend: it becomes smarter, smaller and more affordable with time. The first mobile phone looks nothing like the bricks of the early 2000s or the smartphones used today. LiDAR innovation is the same. The advanced tools that impress us today will seem basic compared to the LiDAR of the future. By learning about this technology now, you can prepare yourself and your team for its impending innovation.
