The LiDAR sensor landed on the iPhone as a revolutionary novelty that marked a before and after in the world of photography and augmented reality. Although, it can be seen as something unknown by users and that is why in this article we explain its operation and the applications it will have in the practical sphere.
What is a LiDAR sensor
In a summarized way, LiDAR is the acronym for ‘Light Detection And Ranging’, that is to say a sensor system that allows to identify the objects in front of it. In this way, it is possible to measure the distance at which different objects are. That is why this sensor is not only present in mobile devices but is also present in smart vehicles. In this way, for example, the presence of different objects in the range can be determined for automatic driving programs. This same technology is also implemented in mobile devices to have different improvements, especially in augmented reality but also supporting photographic quality.
The LiDAR sensor uses a pulsed light beam that can be called a simple laser with a low power. The main function is to be able to measure the distance between the iPhone and the object in question by being able to measure the time that elapses between the emission of the light beam and the detection of the signal that is reflected on it. In this way the sensor through the software of the iPhone itself can create a three-dimensional model.
This sensor does not work only when a photograph is to be taken at a given moment. It is working steadily to be able to measure a large cloud of points at different distances. All this information is vital so that the object in question can be updated as it moves, generating a true 3D video. It is for all this that what is really important is not the sensor as such that emits the light beam but the processing system that has been designed in the software and supported by the device’s own processor.
It must be borne in mind that these emitted lasers are not visible to the human eye, although a plane of everything around you can be quickly generated. In addition, the fact of having very little energy makes it totally safe over other lasers that can be used. This is mainly because the wavelength is approximately 1500 nanometers approaching infrared.
IPhones that include LiDAR technology
This LiDAR technology is mainly reserved for iPhones that are more professional as it is not a feature that is necessary for the operation of the device. It is guaranteed to have a higher quality in the different aspects of the device. That is why right now the iPhone that have this sensor along with the rest of the cameras are the following:
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
If it is true that as time goes by, this technology will become a standard in mobile devices just as it is happening in other matters such as vehicles. Therefore, it is expected that in subsequent generations of Apple phones, sensors of this type will continue to be added and with probably evolved versions compared to the current ones and even with new possibilities for them that have not yet been implemented.
Advantages when taking higher quality photos
In taking pictures, the LiDAR sensor plays a fundamental role to be able to offer a better quality in the result. It allows, above all, to introduce improvements in terms of focus. This is because the LiDAR sensor has the function of detecting individuals and objects in front of and behind. By measuring the distances at which each of the objects is, generating a 3D model, it is possible to know which plane goes first and which one goes behind. This makes the result much better, highlighting what is truly important in a photograph. This is especially true for the ‘bokeh’ effect that aims to achieve improved focus.
Although the real advantage is above all in the night mode. This sensor is capable of tracking the distance of objects even when there is no light in a room or general environment. That is why autofocus in low light is very fast. To this is also added that the photos in portrait mode can be taken in the night mode of the iPhone in order to have a result that is as faithful as possible to reality. This is important since they are fundamental improvements in this night mode making use of the sensors and the treatment that is carried out through software.
But this is not the only interesting feature since some applications also make use of the LiDAR sensor in a much more comical realm. There are many applications that make use of face filters, such as Instagram. In order to gain much more realism, in some cases these sensors are used.
Important applications in augmented reality
The star feature where the LiDAR sensor is the protagonist is in augmented reality. There are many applications that exist to be able to make use of AR technology to be able to scan a specific room. The sensor is capable of recognizing the size of a room thanks to the laser that makes a much more accurate measurement of your entire environment. In this way, placing furniture with applications from different stores is much more exact to adapt exactly to the real circumstances of the entire environment.
Although this functionality is quite limited to everything that developers can do. All tools are at your disposal and have to be fully exploited. Games and productivity apps are working on it right now and they don’t stop emerging in the App Store, now offering more than optimal performance.
One of the applications that can be found is CamToPlan that allows different measurements of a surface and even a room. Thanks to LiDAR sensors you can have an extremely precise measurement as if you had a real tape measure. At any time you can consult all the measurements that you have around you to finish making your own map. This is ideal in every way to be able to carry out different reforms in your home, and all this in the palm of your hand thanks to augmented reality technology.
Is it worth betting on the LiDAR sensor?
One of the big questions you can ask yourself is whether getting an iPhone with a LiDAR sensor is worth it. Obviously, if you have sufficient financial resources, you can certainly afford to have an iPhone with the most premium features. But what must be understood in these cases is that what the LiDAR sensor offers is not decisive to make a decision to spend a greater amount of money. This characteristic should be taken advantage of especially in the photographic environment.
If you are a person who does not use the camera in a professional environment, obviously you will not get the most out of this sensor. Regarding augmented reality technology, it is a fact that it is not widely implemented in the lives of users, so it is not a determining factor that has a lot of weight when saying that the LiDAR sensor is very worth it. have it on your iPhone. This is where the opinion of each of the users and the use that will be given to the device comes in.
