In today’s world, the small LiDAR sensor has been widely applied in multiple industries, including drones, industrial automation, and intelligent transportation.

A small LiDAR sensor precisely measures distances by sending out laser beams and calculating the time it takes for the light to bounce back, enabling drones to maintain a predetermined altitude stably in complex environments, assisting robots in precise obstacle avoidance, and simultaneously allowing intelligent transportation systems to optimize traffic flow and enhance road safety.

As a leading LiDAR manufacturer, we are committed to technological innovation, focusing on designing and producing high-performance sensors to meet the needs of different industries for precise perception and intelligent decision-making. Against this backdrop, we proudly introduce three new Benewake LiDARs: TF-NOVA, TFS20-L, and TFA170-L.

The Market for Small LiDAR Sensor

Small LiDAR sensors are vital across multiple industries, particularly in the consumer drone sector, where they play a key role in enhancing flight stability and safety. According to QYR, the global market for drone LiDAR sensor scanning systems is expected to reach $599 million by 2031, with a CAGR of 6.7%. In industrial automation, a small LiDAR sensor can empower robots to perceive their environment in real time, preventing collisions and improving safety and efficiency. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) use the high precision and all-weather monitoring capabilities of a small LiDAR sensor to enhance traffic management, with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency successfully deploying lidar distance sensors to improve the accuracy of traffic flow analysis. The increasing demand for environmental perception and data acquisition by IoT devices is met by LiDAR's provision of high-precision environmental data, facilitating intelligent decision-making in smart homes and cities. It is projected that by 2030, the total installed base of small LiDAR sensors in smart cities, security, and industrial verticals will reach 16 million units.

Benewake TF-NOVA
lFeatures

Our TF-NOVA features a 14° horizontal and 1° vertical detection zone, capable of detecting a 25×1.7 cm area at a distance of 1 meter. This high-precision detection allows it to capture tiny obstacles, guaranteeing safe operation in complex environments. Smaller than an AA battery, this small LiDAR sensor can be easily integrated into a variety of equipment, such as automatic doors, AGVs, or consumer drones, without occupying excessive space. Additionally, it accurately detects black, low-reflectivity obstacles as small as 5 cm in both bright and low-light conditions.

lApplications

(1) Camera Auto-Focus Assistance

In low-light or complex scenarios, cameras often struggle with autofocus, resulting in blurred images. Installing the TF-NOVA next to the camera lens provides real-time distance data, allowing for fast and accurate focusing by automatically adjusting the camera's focus based on the detected distance.、

(2) Smart Automatic Door Collision Avoidance

Smart automatic doors can detect pedestrians, vehicles, and static obstacles in real time. TF-NOVA LiDAR, with a detection frequency of up to 500Hz, can detect obstacles within a 20 cm protective range, even in challenging conditions like black or high-gloss surfaces. This rapid detection helps prevent collisions, reducing the risk of damage and economic losses.

(3) AGV Obstacle Avoidance

Rail-based intelligent transport systems connect transmission stations distributed in different areas through specific tracks, utilizing dedicated carrier vehicles to transport along these fixed tracks. To improve efficiency, multiple AGVs are typically deployed to operate simultaneously in the system. The 14° horizontal and 1° vertical detection range of the small LiDAR sensor efficiently monitors the core area of AGVs, maintaining safe distances between vehicles and preventing collisions, thus enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

Benewake TFS20-L
lFeatures

TFS20-L offers a measurement range of up to 20 meters, equipped with a high-sensitivity infrared-enhanced SPAD sensor for high-precision distance measurement. The LiDAR sensor module can maintain a ranging accuracy of 15 meters even in strong light conditions of 100 Klux, assuring reliability and stability in various environments, both indoors and outdoors.

The reflectance correction function secures the accuracy of ranging results regardless of the target's reflectivity. This is crucial for applications requiring precise measurements, such as obstacle avoidance for service robots in complex environments.

lApplications

(1) Drone Altitude Control

TFS20-L provides highly reliable true altitude measurement data with centimeter-level precision for drones. This effectively compensates for the insufficient ranging accuracy of other sensors in complex environments near the ground, helping drones maintain their predetermined altitude and enhancing flight safety and mission efficiency.

(2) Service Robots

In the field of service robots, the lack of efficient and precise environmental perception can lead to collisions with obstacles or pedestrians, resulting in economic losses and safety risks. Additionally, robots may encounter downward steps or ground depressions during movement. Therefore, robots need to instantly and accurately recognize their surroundings to effectively prevent collisions and eliminate safety hazards. TFS20-L can provide real-time distance information to the robot, permitting it to make timely reactions such as braking, decelerating, or turning to avoid falling at steps or depressions.

(3) Smart Triggering

TFS20-L is suitable for intelligent waste bin management. It can monitor the fill level of waste bins in real time and automatically trigger an alarm or control the lid to open when the waste reaches a certain level. Additionally, the small LiDAR sensor can communicate real-time data with waste collection vehicles, notifying them when the waste level reaches a preset threshold to promote efficient waste collection and transportation, thereby enhancing urban management efficiency.

Benewake TFA170-L
lFeatures

Boasting a detection range exceeding 170 meters, the TFA170-L is well-suited for various long-distance detection tasks. Weighing only 10 grams and with compact dimensions of 31.0 x 30.2 x 19.2 mm, it is extremely easy to integrate into various tight spaces. Especially for drones, where flight time is strictly limited by the weight and energy consumption carried, reducing weight is crucial for improving flight efficiency. Its lightweight design promises that a reduction of 1 gram can enhance flight time by approximately 6 seconds. Additionally, this small LiDAR sensor is certified under DO-160G, enabling it to withstand the rigorous demands of airborne environments.

lApplications

(1) Altitude and Distance Maintenance

When drones perform various tasks, maintaining a stable vertical altitude and horizontal distance is crucial. The long-distance LiDAR, with its extended detection range and high precision performance, can provide drones with accurate positioning information, assisting drones in achieving precise navigation in complex environments. Whether flying through narrow urban alleys or patrolling vast open fields, the TFA170-L assures that drones consistently maintain their intended flight altitude and distance.

(2) Drone-Assisted Landing

After completing their missions, drones must land safely. The small LiDAR sensor for drones can offer drones precise landing site details. Whether landing on a small helipad or on uneven terrain, it can guarantee the drone touches down safely. Moreover, during adverse weather conditions such as winds, rain, or snow, the landing process for drones can be significantly affected. Its aviation-grade certification and stable performance allow it to maintain reliable detection capabilities in these harsh environments.

Conclusion

Our TF LiDAR sensor series stands as a testament to Benewake's unwavering dedication to providing high-quality, reliable, and low-cost LiDAR sensors that cater to the diverse needs of various industries. With over 1 million units shipped globally, the series has not only made a significant impact across markets ranging from consumer drones to industrial automation, intelligent transportation, and IoT applications but has also demonstrated its exceptional value for money. The affordability of the LiDAR sensor price, combined with their superior performance, has been a key factor in their widespread adoption.

Now, with close cooperation with numerous leading global manufacturers, we are proud to say that this partnership is a clear indicator of the trust and confidence placed in our Benewake products.