LiDAR is a distance tracking device that looks for nearby things using light bursts. By measuring the amount of time it takes for each wave to bounce back to the source, a LiDAR sensor can calculate the distance to each item. It is capable of creating a 3D depth image of the examined region using numerous light bursts.

When LiDAR was first developed, it was used to chart the landscape and produce geological pictures of the earth's surface. Drones and other aircraft equipped with powerful LiDAR devices can quickly survey vast regions. It is feasible to create three-dimensional images of the surveyed places by fusing LiDAR and GPS data.

In recent years, LiDAR has found its way into commonplace gadgets like cars and cellphones.

Automotive LiDAR

LiDAR is used by contemporary automobiles and lorries to identify nearby vehicles and other items. Features like blind spot recognition and park assistance are available with short-range LiDAR (less than 50 meters). Features like automated emergency stopping and adaptive speed control are made possible by long-range LiDAR (up to 200 meters).

LiDAR on Smartphones

Short-range LiDAR is a feature of contemporary high-end devices like the iPhone 12 Pro and subsequent models. The virtual reality (AR) features and picture clarity are both improved by the depth-sensing technology. LiDAR, for instance, enables the phone to identify and concentrate on the main subjects of a photograph. LiDAR enhances facial recognition when using AR technology, such as Snapchat effects, and provides better and more precise tracking.