NEW WAYS TO SET BOUNDARIES WITH LiDAR TECHNOLOGY
By Gerry Paci , Material Handling Market Manager , Pepperl + Fuchs
Many of today ’ s technologies can achieve distance measurement , but few provide as much precision as LiDAR . LiDAR technology , or light detection and ranging technology , uses light from a pulsed laser to measure distance . Sensors with LiDAR technology send out a laser pulse , which returns back to the sensor after hitting a target . The returned light is “ time measured ” ( time-offlight ) and helps create an environment map and understand distance . The precision this offers is crucial in applications where obstruction detection is required . Whether in vehicle manufacturing in the automotive industry or assisting a vehicle with self-driving navigation , LiDAR is an established solution for creating a perimeter or “ setting a boundary .”
This theme of setting a boundary is especially relevant in automated parking garages . While parking garages are being automated more and more , finding a technology that is reliable , precise , and capable of scanning a large area can be a challenge . This is where LiDAR comes in .
The automation process begins after the driver exits their vehicle . LiDAR sensors surrounding the vehicle determine its size and shape to ensure that it fits in the space and that there are no hanging obstructions , like mirrors , outside of the defined area . Once the vehicle profile ( length , width ) is represented , the height is also accounted for . LiDAR scanners can be set to scan horizontally within predefined “ zones ” to detect a taller pickup truck or a much shorter subcompact car . This height zone information is then used to determine where the vehicle should be autonomously placed .
In this example , LiDAR scanners are only being used for “ detection ,” so very little measurement data is output to the automation control system . In this application , the sensors must only determine if an object is breaking the wide scan field . If something is outside of the defined zones , the automation process stops until all scan fields are free of obstructions . However , LiDAR can also be used to collect precise measurement data for more complex applications , like AGV navigation , self-driving vehicles , or area mapping .
R2000 2-D LiDAR sensor
Time-of-flight distance measurement with PRT
Ideal for complex and dynamic tasks , like natural-feature navigation , object detection , and topography mapping
Angular resolution of up to 0.071 °— the highest of any digital I / O scanner on the market — ensures detection of extremely small objects
Interactive , wrap-around LED display provides easy-to-see status information
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