LiDAR
Also: LiDAR-Sensor, Lidar, LIDAR, Laser-Scanner, Safety Laser Scanner, Laserscanner, Light Detection and Ranging
AI-generated
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is an active sensor technology that emits laser pulses and evaluates their reflections to create precise 2D or 3D maps of the surrounding environment.
Key facts
- LiDAR measures distances using laser pulses and generates a precise 2D or 3D map of the surrounding environment from millions of measurement points.
- In intralogistics, LiDAR is the core technology for map-based SLAM navigation of AGVs and AMRs, as it operates without the need for floor markings.
- For safety-related protective field applications – such as personnel protection on automated systems – LiDAR sensors must be certified to the applicable standards.
- 3D LiDAR systems extend detection to the vertical axis and enable the identification of obstacles at varying heights.
- Integrating LiDAR data with camera or ultrasonic sensors improves the robustness of environmental perception, but also increases system complexity.
What is LiDAR?
LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging and refers to an active measurement method in which a sensor emits focused laser pulses into the surrounding environment and measures the travel time of the reflected beams. Thousands of such measurements per second produce a high-resolution point cloud that geometrically maps the surrounding space with precision – either as a two-dimensional scan of a plane or as a three-dimensional volumetric image. The measured distances are typically accurate to within a few centimeters and remain largely independent of lighting conditions, as the sensor generates its own light.
Applications in Intralogistics
In warehouses and production environments, LiDAR is the dominant sensor technology for the navigation of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). A typical 2D LiDAR scanner, mounted on the vehicle at floor level, continuously captures shelves, walls, and obstacles, comparing the measurement data with a previously created environment map. This method is known as Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and enables map-based navigation without the need for floor markings or infrastructure modifications.
3D LiDAR systems are additionally deployed when it is necessary to reliably detect elevated obstacles, people, or unstructured objects – for example, on high-rack vehicles or in areas with high foot traffic. The data derived from the point clouds is frequently fused with camera or ultrasonic sensor systems to close gaps in specific detection ranges.
Beyond vehicle navigation, LiDAR is also used in stationary applications: for safeguarding hazardous zones in accordance with the Machinery Directive, for detecting the occupancy of rack compartments, or for dimensioning parcels at the goods receipt stage.
Key Selection Criteria
When selecting a LiDAR sensor for intralogistics applications, several parameters are critical:
- Range and aperture angle: Narrow aisles require shorter ranges, while large halls require sensors with a wider detection area.
- Protection rating: Dusty, humid, or temperature-critical environments such as cold storage facilities require appropriately certified housings.
- Resolution and scan frequency: Higher frequencies enable faster response times but are more computationally intensive.
- Safety certification: For personnel protection tasks, sensors must be certified to the relevant standards (e.g., IEC 61496). Not every LiDAR is approved for safety-related functions.
- Integration with existing control systems: The interfaces between the sensor, vehicle control system, and higher-level warehouse management system must be carefully coordinated.
Depending on the vendor, range, resolution, and the quality of the supplied software stacks can vary considerably. A direct comparison under real warehouse conditions is recommended before a purchasing decision is made.
Related terms
- AGV
AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) refers to driverless transport vehicles that automatically move goods in warehouses and production environments. They follow predefined or sensor-controlled routes without a human driver.
- AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to systems that learn from data, recognize patterns, and on this basis support or automate decisions.
- AMR
AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) is a driverless, self-navigating transport robot that moves goods within a warehouse without any fixed installed infrastructure. It orientates itself independently using sensors and digital maps, and dynamically avoids obstacles.
- AR
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information onto the real field of view in real time. In intralogistics, AR is used primarily in picking, maintenance and training.
- Aktuator
An actuator is a technical component that converts electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic control signals into mechanical movement or force. In intralogistics, actuators control conveyor belts, diverters, grippers, and lifting elements in automated systems.
- AutoStore
AutoStore is a cube-based automated storage system in which driverless robots traverse an aluminum grid to stack plastic bins and retrieve them on demand for delivery to picking ports. The system is considered one of the most space-efficient automated small-parts warehouses available for standardized bin-compatible goods.
- Automatisches Kleinteilelager (AKL)
The Automated Small Parts Warehouse (AKL) is a fully automated storage system for totes, trays and small parts, in which storage and retrieval operations are performed without manual intervention by stacker cranes or shuttle systems.
- Automatisierung
Automation refers to the use of technologies and systems to execute processes fully or partially without human intervention. In intralogistics, the spectrum ranges from simple conveyor systems to fully automated high-bay warehouses with autonomous vehicles.