In cases where efficiency and accuracy are desired, LIDAR systems having laser-oriented sensors have proved to be excellent tools of work with unprecedented capabilities. A LIDAR system comes with an inbuilt laser component as well as a laser sensor. Laser sensors can be integrated into various system components to rhyme well and offer various uses at different instances.
Some uses of LIDAR sensors include:
1. Autonomous vehicles: With the advancement in artificial intelligence and Machine Learning, the introduction of independent cars has been experienced. These independent cars are driverless but may carry people from one given location to another accurately. This, however, sounds a bit weird to have cars not operated by human beings. However, LIDAR sensors help make the technology a success. LIDAR sensors work by calculating the time of received light that bounces back from objects which is crucial for determining distances between obstacles and the vehicle while on the move. LIDAR sensors are thus of great importance and are shortly going to dominate the motor industry.
2. Space exploration: No one needs to physically travel to celestial bodies in space as LIDAR can offer all that at ease. Astronomy has thus greatly ventured into the use of LIDAR sensors to estimate the size and distance of bodies in space. One of its typical applications is that it has been seen in recent years is the determination of distances between planets. These sensors are, therefore, a life changer for the astronomy departments in the world.
3. Road safety: In many countries, you will find law enforcers monitoring vehicles that over speed on roads or highways. These law enforcers make use of speed guns that are integrated with LIDAR sensors. Digital LIDAR sensors are able to calculate the speed of a moving object and its distances while it approaches and this forms an integral part in ensuring road safety by law enforcers.
4. Crop mapping and analysis: Information about the exact location and patterns of a given set of crops may be crucial and beneficial to individuals in the agriculture sector. LIDAR sensors may take colorful schemes about the nature of landscapes on the farm. Airborne surveillance of the crops using LIDAR sensors also adds more view, as well as accuracy, and the information collected, is useful in making plans on when and where to plant in the coming seasons. LIDAR sensors are thus of much assistance in agriculture in such a way that we cannot undermine their use.
5. Forest surveying: Forests are home to living things of various species. The trees themselves are botanic living things that are vividly visible from above due to the beautiful canopies that they setup. Managing a huge forest may sometimes prove to be difficult. LIDAR Sensors are useful in taking aerial surveys which can help lengthen the existence of these forests. With proper management of forests using LIDAR sensors; forest fires, deforestation and illegal logging can be monitored hence retain the beautiful canopies and life in the ecosystem. Prediction on the possible hot spots of fire disasters can also be made through LIDAR sensors and strict measures enforced.
6. Mining: The earth’s surface is usually full of natural resources. Most of these natural resources are usually fossil fuels that mean a lot to human beings as they are a source of energy. However, in most cases, these resources are usually housed very much beneath the earth’s surfaces, and they must be located effectively to ensure the mining process is economical. LIDAR sensors have thus gained popularity in Oil and gas explorations as they are used to identify places that are rich in fuel mineral deposits. To located and identify such resources, LIDAR sensors use the concepts of reflection where a laser beam is directed to the ground, and the reflection is analyzed. Mine structures are also studied and analyzed carefully using LIDAR sensors, and this ensures the safety of miners during work by putting measures to avoid the mining structure from caving in.
7. Military applications: LIDAR sensors just like RADAR sensors have gained influence from the military. This is because it enables precise estimation of the location of an object as well as the size, a feature not available in RADAR. Drones controlled by the most powerful armies in the world also contain LIDAR sensors that help strike the ground with weapons accurately while flying far above the skies. Silenced surveillance and spying aircraft may also use LIDAR sensors to take land terrains of a battlefield even before the actual day of the mission.
8. Archeological explorations: Fossils buried beneath the earth might sometimes need to be located before actual excavation of fossils and old age artifacts. LIDAR sensors aids in the determination of where and how far below the earth’s surface that the items are located. This saves money, time, and speed of locating the items for historians when compared to manual methods which were in most cases inaccurate or inefficient.
9. Disaster monitoring: Most disasters like storms, earthquakes, fire tragedies, and accidents may beg for LIDAR sensors. The sensors may be implemented to try and piece things together of what happened. They may also be used for offering surveillance in places that are unreachable after a devastating disaster.
10. Urban planning: To ease congestion in urban areas LIDAR sensors can be used for mapping to ensure structures are online set up at places where they won’t be of distraction. 3D modeling of urban lines of drainage and power are also analyzed digitally using LIDAR sensors. They are thus of great importance to urban governments and authorities as so much can be decided using the information derived from LIDAR sensors.
