Lidar For Navigation of Automated Guided Vehicles

Lidar (light detection and ranging) uses eye-safe laser beams to "see" the world in 3D, providing machines and computers an accurate representation of the surveyed environment.  Lidar sensors work by emitting pulsed light waves into the surrounding environment. The light waves bounce off surrounding objects and return to the sensor.  The sensor then uses the time it took for each pulse to return to the sensor to calculate the distance the beam traveled.  The sensor repeats this process millions of times per second to create a real-time 3D map of the environment.  Using this information, an onboard computer can utilize this map for safe navigation.

Lidar is used in many industries including automotive, infrastructure, robotics, trucking, UAV, drones, industrial, mapping, and many more.  Because lidar uses its own light source, the technology offers strong performance in a wide variety of lighting and weather conditions.

Lidar sensors are a key component in autonomous vehicles, providing a high-resolution 3D view of their surroundings. Lidar enables autonomous vehicles to "see" by generating and measuring millions of data points in real time, creating a precise map of its ever-changing surroundings for safe navigation.  Lidar's distance accuracy allows the vehicle's system to identify and avoid objects at up to 300 meters in a wide variety of weather and lighting conditions. 

What's the difference between lidar and camera systems?

Lidar sees in 3D while cameras see in 2D.  The advantage of being able to see in 3D is that the results are much more accurate and precise.  Cameras have to make an assumption about an objects distance while lidar produces and provides exact measurements.  This is why AGV's (automated guided vehicles) use lidar for safe navigation.

Another advantage is that lidar provides its own light source and can 'see' in all lighting conditions.  Cameras are dependent on ambient light conditions and face challenges with darkness and glare. 

DATASENSING LIDAR GUIDANCE SCANNER

Datasensing (a Datalogic company) LGS-N50 Lidar Guidance Scanner provides precise distance and angle mearsurement up to 50 meters and can differentiate between natural objects and reflectors or other artificial landmarks.

The LGS-N50 Lidar Guidance Scanner can be used for navigation with triangulation and for natural navigation, in particular SLAM (simultaneous navigation and mapping), in which the measured contour is compared to a map internal to the navigation controller to estimate the position of the vehicle.

The Datalogic LGS-N50 is suitable for naviation of AGVs moving up to 2 m/s, has a scan rate selectable up to 25 Hz and 60,000 measurements per second.

With an operating temperature range of -20° to 50°C, an IP66 protection against dust and water, and its sturdy compact structure, The LGS-N50 Lidar Guidance Scanner is well suited for use in indoor industrial envrionments.

NAVIGATION GETS EASIER

Configuring the LGS-N50 does not require any special software:  Datasensor's Lidar Guidance Scanner Viewer is an integrated web server that allows to visualize and change parameters with any browser.

The LGS-N50 transmits the distance and angle of any point, the intensity of the light beam, roation rate and timestamps enabling the scanners software to accurately pinpoint the sensor.  Lidar Guidance Scanner Viewer is a free monitoring software to monitor the navigation system.