The LiDAR Revolution
#9 of my tech predictions for 2023
LiDAR technology has quickly become one of the most talked-about developments in recent years. With applications in autonomous vehicles, robotics, preservation and virtual and augmented reality, LiDAR is revolutionizing the way we interact with our environment.
You might wonder what exactly LiDAR is and how it will change our world?
LiDAR which stands for “Light Detection and Ranging,” is a sensing technology that uses lasers to measure distances and create detailed 3D maps of the environment. The basic idea behind LiDAR is to send out a laser beam, measure the time it takes for the beam to bounce back from an object, and use this information to calculate the distance to that object.
LiDAR technology has been around for decades, but it’s only in recent years that it has become cheap and compact enough to be used in consumer electronics such as smartphones and drones. This has opened up a world of possibilities for the technology, from creating accurate maps of buildings and streets to enabling self-driving cars to navigate safely through complex environments in darkness.
However, one of the most exciting applications of LiDAR technology is in the creation of the 3D worlds that are needed for the metaverse development to take off. The metaverse is a term used to describe the convergence of the physical and virtual worlds, where people can interact with each other and with digital objects in a shared virtual space.
To create a realistic and immersive metaverse, it would help tremendously to be able to capture and represent the physical world accurately. This is where LiDAR technology comes in. By using LiDAR sensors to scan our environment and create detailed 3D models, we can create a virtual version of the physical world almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
This has enormous implications for industries such as gaming, architecture, and engineering, where accurate 3D models are essential. With LiDAR technology, we can create virtual versions of real-world environments with incredible precision, allowing us to explore and interact with them in ways that were previously impossible.
But LiDAR technology isn’t just about the future. It’s already being used in a wide range of applications today. Autonomous vehicles, for example, use Lidar sensors to “see” — even at night when traditional cameras would be in trouble — and navigate the environment with incredible accuracy. Aerial mapping is another area where LiDAR is used to create detailed 3D maps of the terrain, which can be used for various applications, from urban planning to environmental monitoring. Another use case is for real-time crowd control.
One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the integration of LiDAR technology into consumer electronics such as smartphones.
The latest iPhone models, for example, come with a LiDAR sensor. Currently, it is being used to scan our faces more precisely to make face recognition safe enough as our primary authenticator. Besides, Apple uses the Lidar to take better photos by adding depth scanning techniques. But the real killerapp for Apple in the future is their bet on Augmented Reality. The built-in LiDAR scanner lets users scan their environment in real-time and instantly create detailed 3D models using apps like Polycam.
Polycam is a revolutionary app that allows you to scan a room in minutes and create precise 3D models of your surroundings. These models can then be imported into CAD programs, enabling architects and designers to work with real-world data in their designs.
A really great example of how the Polycam app has created significant value is the project called Backup Ukraine.
In an attempt to preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage from disappearing due to the Russian bombing, Unesco created a project allowing Ukrainians to help scan and upload 3D models of everything that needs to be stored and saved for posterity. With +50,000 app downloads and +35,000 LiDAR scans in Ukraine, Ukrainian citizens have saved significantly more sculptures than even the world’s largest museums and art collections. You should download the app and try it yourself!
It’s not just Apple that’s getting in on the Lidar game. Many companies and organizations are developing Lidar technology:
- Two of the high-tech sensor industry leaders, Velodyne and Oyster, recently merged to create a leading powerhouse in this area.
- Waymo (initially founded by Google) are swearing to LiDAR for their self-driving robotaxis and cars driving around in California.
- The startup Luminar is providing their new type of Lidar sensor to existing car manufacturers to increase safety, avoid fender benders, and maybe even lower the price of your car insurance. They use longer wavelength light, which can penetrate dense fog and rain even more effectively.
Each of these companies is working on different applications of LiDAR technology.
Ultimately, the LiDAR revolution is about creating a better understanding of our environment and using that understanding to create more immersive and interactive experiences. Whether we’re exploring a virtual world or designing the real world.
As LiDAR technology continues to advance, I predict that we will see even more exciting developments in the near future. With LiDAR sensors becoming cheaper and more compact, we will soon see the technology integrated into an even more comprehensive range of consumer electronics, from smart glasses to VR gaming consoles.
