Articles written by industry experts to help increase your knowledge.
Deploying many drones and teams isn’t a guarantee of increased Probability of Detection (POD) when searching for missing persons. However, using proven techniques that leverage the sensor fusion aboard a search and rescue (SAR) drone’s gimbal payload makes a significant
Boulder, Colorado – LightWare has revealed the GRF-250, an ultralight laser rangefinder designed for gimbal integration.
Believing that mid-range laser rangefinders can transform intelligence, surveillance, security, search and rescue operations, LightWare’s development team identified a need for better mid-range laser
Law enforcement and public safety agencies use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for many roles, but search and rescue (SAR), remains one of the original applications. During the early 2000s, first responders saw the potential of UAVs for SAR, despite GPS
Helicopters created the ‘eye in the sky’ idea of security and law enforcement work, but unmanned arial vehicles – or UAVs – can be as effective at a fraction of the cost – if equipped with the correct sensor payload.
UAVs and laser rangefinders in wildlife and conservation The illegal wildlife trade is valued at $20bn annually, driven by powerful market forces and commanding deep financial and technology resources. Evaluate that treat, and it’s clear that traditional wildlife and conservation
Despite strong growth, driven by many new applications and innovations, there remains a gap in the laser rangefinder market. These crucial UAV depth perception and localization sensors are available in many configurations, but ultralight mid-range laser rangefinders remain an underdeveloped
Sensor fusion is the technology symphony orchestrating better spatial awareness and greater navigational accuracy for UAVs. The components of this technology symphony are various sensor modalities: cameras, LiDAR, and GPS, each with unique strengths and inherent weaknesses.
As we bid farewell to an extraordinary year, I am thrilled to reflect on the remarkable journey of LightWare LiDAR in 2023.
Smarter, faster, and safer. In the 4IR world remote sensors are the foundation of AoT and IoT applications, with LiDAR becoming what the semiconductor was to 3IR.
At LightWare we manufacture and ship thousands of microLiDAR® sensors per year, each one built to an exacting specification. Our elite customer base demands the best the world has to offer, inspiring LightWare to implement ISO9001:2015 as the fundamental cornerstone
“We evaluated a variety of sensors. We did a study on sonar sensors and why they don’t work very well. We did it for LiDAR and we also did it for depth cameras. But you guys came up on top
Flying for WildLife Trust is a non-commercial trust that was born out of a concern for the plight of Zimbabwe’s wildlife, with particular emphasis on elephant and rhino populations. The main objective of the trust is to provide Zimbabwe National
SPH Engineering is a globally recognized provider of UgCS – UAV mission planning and flight control software solution. This constantly evolving software is used by drone pilots and professional surveyors worldwide – particularly in the areas of environmental, archeological, engineering,
The last few years has witnessed exponential growth in the fields of robotics, machines and the Internet of Things (IoT). It is also a time that has seen significant enhancements made in sensor technology, mainly through (small) size, (light) weight
The SF23/B is a very low power sensor ideal for energy critical applications. This microLiDAR™ is a small form factor, general purpose LiDAR that measures the distance to objects by timing a laser flash. The SF23/B generates its own light
UAVs, commonly known as drones, have transformed the technological operating environment. Their ability to explore hard-to-reach areas make them an indispensable necessity for almost all industries. A thriving operating environment has also invited many drone manufacturers to market.
SLAM is a process whereby a robot or machine – in the form of an unmanned aerial or ground vehicle (UAV/UGV) – builds a map of its environment while simultaneously computing its own location within that map. SLAM is highly
IoT is a gamechanger for businesses as they reap the rewards of time-efficiency, speedy operations, and cost-cutting. It’s no surprise then that many businesses are embracing technology and making plans to get connected to an IoT network. We explain the
The SF11/C microLiDAR™ is one of the most popular sensors in the LightWare range. Considered the definitive laser altimeter for drones and other UAVs, the SF11/C is the ideal solution for accurate AGL measurements, automated landings, precision hovering and terrain
We’ve dedicated this edition of LiDAR Matters to focus on IoT and how LiDAR technology is fast becoming the ideal choice for many IoT applications.
With numerous sensor technologies complementing the IoT revolution, we also look at the key
In this week’s LiDAR Matters we focus our attention on the SF11/C microLiDAR™ sensor. This long range and lightweight laser altimeter is the ideal choice for UAVs requiring accurate above ground level (AGL) altitude measurements.
Finding the perfect LiDAR to achieve required results can be stressful, so LightWare makes it easy for you by designing and manufacturing affordable microLiDAR™ sensors in various shapes, sizes, and weights.
The convergence of machine and sensor technology is creating an exciting era for many innovative businesses operating in a multitude of industries. The new world of robotics, unmanned vehicles, and Internet of Things (IoT) is creating big demand for accurate
The fact that LiDAR can do so much makes it an essential fit for many tech-embracing businesses. So many applications across multiple industries make it the ‘in-demand’ solution for range, perception and IoT related challenges.
LiDAR sensors work on the Time of Flight (ToF) principle, where laser light pulses are emitted into the environment. These pulses reflect off surrounding objects and return to the LiDAR receiver.
With over 40 years’ experience designing and manufacturing laser rangefinders, LightWare prides itself on manufacturing world-class microLiDAR™ sensors and accessories to meet your requirements.
In this edition of LiDAR Matters, we share some unique stories of LightWare customers making special use of their microLiDAR™ sensors.
In this week’s blog we are highlighting the SF20/C. This robust microLiDAR™ is the workhorse of the LightWare range and a firm industry favourite!…
Jen Lewin, an American installation artist, known around the world for her public, interactive light landscapes is inspired by light and reflect…
We are proud to announce that we have embarked on our next phase of global growth. As a rapidly expanding company, LightWare Optoelectronics has …
We are proud to announce a new product evolution within the LightWare family – the SF45 scanning microLiDAR! This small and lightweight scanning m…
LightWare launches world’s smallest lightest microLiDAR, gives machines eyes Drones and other autonomous vehicles have changed the world with their…
We love answering your burning questions! A frequent customer question relates to how well LiDARs deal well with dust and grime? Can a laser see th…
The SF30/C microLiDAR is one of LightWare’s smallest and arguably most popular microLiDAR sensors. Able to provide real-time, accurat…
Today we’d like to focus on one key trend that enables an incredible world of possibility through IoT. New applications and advancements in employing LiDAR sensors and sensor fusion in IOT, enable machines with the gift of sight (and thus
There was a time when machine capabilities were limited by their failure to “see”. Then LiDAR technology started gaining traction, and suddenly the…
LiDAR – a term that you’ve probably heard thrown around a lot in the “tech” world. LiDAR, an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging is …
The SF000 microLiDAR is LightWare’s smallest and versatile sensor which uses a Time–of–Flight principle to make very fast accurate distance and speed measurements. Its 50-meter detection range is achievable even with background light, wind, and noise making it ideal for
LiDAR technology hit the market almost 40 years ago, but it’s only during the past few years where LiDAR has really started to break into the mainstream. The world of LiDAR technology has grown and with all of it’s technological
We’re talking more LiDAR today – but with a twist… We are including radar, ultrasonic and camera technologies to the mix! Modern remote…
Who would have thought that Physics and its different elements would become the backbone of LiDAR technology? We’re talking pulses. In the LiDAR world, a pulse is a single short burst of light however looking at things from a broader
Physics – the “secret sauce” behind LiDAR. The Physics of LiDARs has not changed since the days of Albert Einstein – the fundamental rules of Quantum Mechanics, speed of light and several other primary aspects remain the same. The rules
Is LiDAR the future? Whether it’s fitted to a drone or embedded in one of the latest gadgets, the face of technology is constantly changing thanks to LiDAR. LiDAR had one major concern – cost but this too has changed!
LiDAR the new rock-star of remote sensing which uses time-of-flight technology keeps on expanding its horizons. The beginnings of LiDAR go way back…
Today, the world of LiDAR has grown and keeps evolving. Even the new iPAD and iPhone, sport a version of LiDAR today. This technology enhances 3D perception and is useful in Virtual Reality (VR) and measurement applications. We have only
Optics, a small word, yet a powerful game changer in the world of LiDAR.
There are several elements in any machine or device that makes it work. People generally have this misconception that the laser, detector or signal processing unit
Eye safety (and general biological safety) is of paramount importance when designing any laser-based system.
But, as with many other aspects of design, ensuring eye safety isn’t a simple or linear process. To the contrary, there are a number
Many machines need to be aware of the objects and spaces around them. This might be to detect when something arrives or leaves, to measure how high something is or to see how far away an obstacle is. It is
Here’s a riddle: what gets lost every time you gain? The answer? Electrons and photons – when you’re converting electricity, that is.
We’ve been busy! In our quest to make your drone’s job easier so that you can get better results, we’ve developed two great new models; each offering an exciting range of possibilities.
For a start, there’s our SF000, the world’s
Stay updated about LightWare news as it happens
LightWare microLiDAR® is proud to support our pioneering clients as they deliver innovative solutions in their respective industries. Here’s how they apply LiDAR and what they have to say about our microlidar® sensors.
