Mechanical LiDAR (Laser Radar) Selection Guide

For now, DFRobot has launched several mechanical LiDARs, but how should we choose the most suitable one? Hereafter, the reference guide is released. It introduces and lists all features of them.

1. RPLIDAR S1 - 360 Degree TOF Laser Scanner

TOF, 40m Ranging Radius, Outdoor Available, Enclosed Cover, Lightweight RPLIDAR S1 adopts TOF (Time of Flight) ranging technology, which guarantees the ranging resolution not changing with distance. Even within a longer distance, the ranging resolution is still stable and accurate. It can achieve a radius of up to 40 meters 360 degrees all-round ranging measurement. It is suitable for a wide range of environments, such as anti-strong light, indoor and outdoor, especially suitable for outdoor measurement drawings.

2. RPLIDAR A3 - 360 Degree Laser Scanner Development Kit

The sample rate of LIDAR directly decides whether the robot can build a map quickly and accurately. PRLIDAR A3 improves the internal optical design and algorithm system to make the sample rate up to 16000 times. Its ranging radius has been increased to 25 meters, which is the longest one. 

PRLIDAR A3 supports working under two modes alternatively: enhanced (indoor) mode and outdoor mode. In enhanced (indoor) mode, it works with the maximum ranging radius and 16000 times/s sampling rate to realize an optimistic mapping performance in indoor environments. And in outdoor mode, it works with a more reliable resistance to daylight interference. Moreover, it keeps its stable performance when detecting white and black objects in long distance detection and environments with strong light.

3. SLAMTEC MAPPER M2M2 - 360° Laser Mapping Sensor

Slamtec Mapper, a new laser range scanner category integrating map building and real time localization and navigation, contains the SLAMTEC third generation high-performance SLAM engine and laser range scanner. Plug and play, without any external dependence, all you need is just one USB cable. 

Its measuring distance is up to 40 meters, performs excellently both indoors and outdoors. Even if the tilt angle reaches ±3°, it still can work as normal.

Here M2M2 development board is selected to ensure the cross-platform tool that can develop SDK, and evaluate both mobile phone and PC sides. Meanwhile, combined with the accompanying ROS drivers, the maps and positioning data can be seamlessly integrated into the ROS environment. With a built-in WIFI and Ethernet interface, it is easy to communicate.

It can be widely applied to fields like robot navigation and positioning, environmental mapping, handheld measurement, and so on.

4. RPLIDAR A2M6 - 360 Degree Laser Scanner Development Kit

The distance measure range of the PRLIDAR A2M6 is 0.15-18 m. Its sampling frequency is 8000times/s. It is 360-degree all-round laser scanning, but not support enhanced mode. This one is half as cheap as the A3, which is cost-effective. If you do not have high long-distance requirements, it can meet all basic functions.
It can be widely used in projects related to automatic barrier avoidance, self-drawing, path planning and positioning navigation, etc.

5. RPLIDAR A2M8 - 360 Degree Laser Scanner Development Kit

The RPLIDAR A2M8 adopts the low-cost laser triangulation measurement system developed by SLAMTEC, which makes the RPLIDAR A2 has excellent performance in all kinds of indoor environment and outdoor environment without direct sunlight exposure. Meanwhile, before leaving the factory, every RPLIDAR A2 has passed strict testing to ensure the laser output power meets the standards of FDA Class I. 

The distance measure range of the PRLIDAR A2M8 is 0.15-12m. Its sampling frequency is 8000 times/s. It is 360-degree all-round laser scanning within the distance measurement range. It can work indoors and outdoors without direct sunlight.

It can be widely applied to the practical applications of map mapping, robot positioning, and navigation, objects, environmental modeling, etc.

6. RPLIDAR A1M8 - 360 Degree Laser Scanner Development Kit

The distance measure range of the PRLIDAR A1M8 is 0.15-12m. Its sampling frequency is 8000times/s. It is 360-degree all-round laser scanning, based on the result, it performs better with white high reflective objects. It supports 2-10Hz adjustable scanning frequency. The radar scanning frequency can be adjusted by setting PWM. This laser radar is less than $100. If you do not have the strict requirement of the measurement result, just need basic functions, this one is a good choice.

Related blog: Solid State LiDAR (Laser Radar) Selection Guide