LiDAR is an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging.
LiDAR is a 3D sensing method for determining ranges (variable distance) by targeting an object or a surface with a laser and measuring the time for the reflected light to return to the receiver.
It allows the recognition of environment and determine distances and objects in relation on the sensor. This method can be used to create a complete depth map in the sensor’s field of view of any object, such as people (VIDEO 4.) or cars in autonomous driving (VIDEO 3.), earth surfaces in geological mapping (VIDEO 2.), or even construction on building sites.
Technically, in LiDAR, laser light is sent from a source (transmitter) and reflected from objects in the scene. The reflected light is detected by the system receiver and the time of flight (TOF) is used to develop a distance map of the objects in the scene.
Numerous companies around the world are currently working to redevelop LiDAR methodologies and individual components such as light transmitters and receivers in such a way that new, highly lucrative fields of application can be opened up. These include autonomous driving functions in cars, agricultural equipment, drones and mobile platforms such as AMRs (autonomous mobile robots) in logistics.
While new LiDAR camera solutions are constantly appearing on the market, application developers have a hard time selecting suitable sensors for their use case. Performances given by technical data sheets are mostly not meaningful enough. As soon as third-party sensors are procured, numerous pre-tests are required to accurately determine the performance of the 3D measurement for the addressed application. A lot of time is invested in sensors that may even turn out to be unsuitable in the end.
This is where LiDAR Olympics comes in.
Application developers or even manufacturers can compete and playfully evaluate their selected and procured sensors in the context of an Olympic test.
The 3D cameras are tested in four disciplines that are challenging for LiDAR. A jury evaluates the performance at each discipline and awards points. The informal atmosphere and the open exchange with other participants can thus provide essential experience in LiDAR.
Participants learn about the numerous technological interrelationships through exchange with others, can compare sensors and prioritize relevant specifications for their use cases.