Sony FCB camera block
Driven by the wave of Industry 4.0 and intelligence, high-precision measurement technology is becoming a core competitive point in fields such as unmanned aerial vehicles, robots, and autonomous driving.
The AS-DT1 lidar sensor launched by SONY in 2025, combining Direct Time-of-flight (dToF) and Single photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) technologies, achieves centimeter-level ranging accuracy with an error of less than ±5cm, providing highly reliable perception solutions for scenarios such AS unmanned aerial vehicle power inspection, robot dynamic obstacle avoidance, and bridge structure monitoring. It has become a key component in promoting the low-altitude economy and intelligent manufacturing to leap towards “centimeter-level precision”.
I. Core Manifestations of High-precision measurement
Centimeter-level ranging error
±5 cm accuracy (10 meters) : In both indoor and outdoor environments, the ranging error within a 10-meter range is controlled within ±5 cm, far exceeding the accuracy level of similar small LiDars.
Long-distance stability: The maximum indoor ranging distance is 40 meters. Under strong outdoor light (100,000 lux), it still maintains an effective ranging distance of 20 meters, and the error rate remains stable.
2. Adaptability to complex scenarios
Low-reflectivity object detection: It can measure the distance of low-reflectivity targets such as dark walls and transparent glass. Traditional LiDAR often fails in such scenarios.
Suspended object recognition: By leveraging the single-photon capture capability of SPAD sensors, it penetrates obstructions such as shelves and crowds to detect suspended objects (such as packages hung by drones).
3. Anti-interference and dynamic environment adaptability
Anti-multipath reflection: By directly measuring the flight time of photons through dToF technology, the multipath interference problem of traditional triangulation methods is avoided.
Dynamic target tracking: In warehouse or retail scenarios with frequent personnel flow, the distance of obstacles is updated in real time, with a response speed of milliseconds.
Ii. Analysis of Technical Advantages
Collaborative innovation between dToF and SPAD
Direct Flight Time (dToF) : By measuring the round-trip time of light pulses to calculate the distance, it avoids the cumulative error of indirect ranging (such as phase modulation) and improves the accuracy in dynamic scenes.
Single-photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) : It utilizes the avalanche multiplier effect to amplify weak light signals, achieving single-photon level detection and significantly enhancing sensitivity in low-light environments (such as outdoor areas at night or dim indoor regions).
2. Wide dynamic range and multi-scenario adaptation
Strong light suppression: It still maintains a 20-meter ranging capability under 100,000 lux outdoor light conditions in summer, breaking through the bottleneck of strong light interference in traditional LiDAR.
Low-power operation: Optimize circuit design and heat dissipation solutions to support continuous operation and meet the long-range requirements of mobile devices such as drones and AGVs.
Iii. Typical Application Scenarios
Intelligent inspection of infrastructure
Bridge/highway inspection: With an indoor distance measurement capability of 40 meters, it can scan the surface of large structures with an accuracy of ±5 centimeters to identify cracks and settlements.
Dam safety monitoring: In damp and foggy environments, it measures the displacement of the dam body by penetrating the fog on the water surface to ensure flood control safety.
2. Warehousing and logistics automation
AGV navigation and obstacle avoidance: 0.25mm resolution to detect shelf gaps, optimize path planning, and prevent goods from colliding.
Suspended package identification: Detect suspended packages above the conveyor belt to prevent misoperation by the robotic arm.
3. Integration of unmanned aerial vehicles and robots
Mapping unmanned aerial vehicle: 40-meter indoor ranging supports 3D modeling of large factories, and the lightweight design enhances the drone’s endurance.
Service robot: In the restaurant food delivery scene, it builds dynamic maps in real time and precisely avoids tables, chairs and pedestrians.
4. Retail and Business Intelligence
Flow density analysis: By using multi-point distance measurement to statistically analyze the distribution of customers in the store, optimize the shelf layout and promotion strategies.
Shelf inventory monitoring: Precise distance measurement for low-reflectivity goods (such as dark-colored packaging) to achieve automatic replenishment reminders.
5. Autonomous driving assistance system
Complex road condition perception: Maintain a 20-meter ranging accuracy in strong backlight or shadow areas to assist vehicles in emergency obstacle avoidance.
The SONY AS-DT1 not only redefines the technical standards for high-precision measurement, but also, with its lightweight and miniaturization AS the key, initiates the dual penetration of LiDAR in both the consumer and industrial markets.