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LiDAR: A key factor for Smart Mobility and Industry!

Updated: Feb 15, 2022


LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging or Light imaging). The technology was first used in 1960s when laser scanners were mounted to airplanes. Recently it brought a revolution in warehouse automation and autonomous driving. What is LiDAR technology and how does it work? Here are a few insights about it that are good to know.

In logistics, autonomous trucks and delivery robots are expected to have the most significant growth. The increase in eCommerce demand, coupled with labor shortages, is accelerating the need for automated warehouse operations.

Already today, tasks such as picking items for shipment or transporting pallets through a warehouse have changed hands from humans to industrial robots, and there are many more tasks to come. As the warehouse environment evolves, operations require faster, safer, and more flexible technologies.

Application of LiDAR within supply chain workflows

LiDAR sensor is the major component for Automated Guided Vehicles and Autonomous Mobile Robot. Intelligent navigation, interaction with surroundings, and active safety features. The robot’s entire perception stack is often built around this one device. This sensor localizes the vehicle along the route. These sensors detect obstacles in the immediate path, monitor the contour of the ground and warn the robot of any deviation.

Other applications of LiDAR within supply chain and intralogistics processes are identification of assets or people, mapping of areas or buildings. On the top it is used as one element for stationary safeguarding of danger zones. Moreover, LIDAR can help you with your track & trace processes to localize trucks, capture pallets or objects.

Types of LiDAR technology in market?

Basically there are two different designs of LiDAR systems. The mechanical scanning LiDAR physically rotates the laser and receiver to gain a 360° view whereas a solid-state LiDAR (SSL) has no moving parts, but a limited field of view (FoV) in combination with lower costs and a higher degree of reliability.

Further, the SSL are of two kinds:

  • Flash LiDAR: illuminated the entire target area for short and mid-range detection.

  • MEMS-based scanning Lidar: it has a micro-mirror to steer the beam for long range detection.

Depending on the use case each technology has its own application in the industry.

Why MH-Invelopment and LiDAR?

We help in the process of technology transfer by supporting with necessary resources. We provide technology expertise, market outlook and budget reviews for your use case. Give us a call. Send us an email. Visit our website. Get connected to our network of robot manufacturers, engineering teams and research companies when it comes to LIDAR.

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