Glossary · Technology

3D printing

LiDAR

A sensor that measures distances using light. Smartphones and tablets use it to capture rooms and large objects quickly and roughly.

Explained in more detail

LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. The sensor emits pulses of light and measures how long the light takes to reach the object and return, which gives the distance. On the iPhone Pro and iPad Pro it measures distances of up to 5 m according to Apple. This is fast but coarse: it is enough for rooms, furniture and large objects, but not for printable detailed models or spare parts.

Where does the term come from?

Originally a contraction of light and radar, today usually read as an abbreviation for Light Detection and Ranging. Instead of radio waves as in radar, LiDAR uses light.

In practice

• LiDAR scans from a smartphone are suitable for measuring rooms and furniture, for example to plan a bracket or a shelf.
• For figures, photogrammetry with a camera usually gives more detail; for spare parts, a 3D scanner with structured light or laser lines.
• Whether a device has a LiDAR sensor is stated in the manufacturer's technical data.

Not to be confused

LiDAR in a smartphone is not the same as the laser mode of a handheld scanner: the latter projects laser lines and evaluates them by triangulation. This is much more accurate but only works at short range.

Frequently asked questions

Is the LiDAR sensor in the iPhone enough for 3D printing?

For rough models of large objects and for measuring, yes, but not for parts that need to fit precisely. According to Apple, the sensor is designed for distances up to 5 m, not for fine detail.