Components
LiDAR vs Ultrasonic Distance Sensors for Robots
Range, accuracy and speed compared for robotics and drone projects.
· 3 min read
Key takeaways
- Ultrasonic sensors are cheap but slow and wide-beam.
- Time-of-flight LiDAR is fast and precise.
- LiDAR works on soft surfaces that absorb sound.
How they work
Ultrasonic sensors time a sound pulse; LiDAR times a light pulse. Light is much faster, enabling higher update rates.
Range and accuracy
Typical ultrasonic modules reach a few metres; micro LiDAR modules reach 12m with centimetre precision.
Which to choose
For obstacle avoidance at speed or altitude hold, choose LiDAR.
Frequently asked questions
Products mentioned in this article
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