We keep hearing that the top iPhone models, namely iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 13 and Pro Max are equipped with a LiDAR sensor, but many do not know much about what is LiDAR sensor and what is it used for?.
Let's take it one at a time and see first what is LiDAR and what it was used for before it was present on the iPhone.
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What is LiDAR?
LiDAR is the abbreviation for “Light Detection And Ranging", and in specialized magazines and press articles, we find it written in various forms. From the simple "Lidar" to changing the capitals to: "LIDAR", "LiDaR" or "LIDaR". All referring to the same thing.
Many people heard about LiDAR with the introduction of this sensor on the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max in the fall of 2020 and thought of an innovative technology of Apple. Actually, LiDAR is more of a method than a technology, and it was not discovered by Apple nor did it appear for the first time on the iPhone.
To the dismay of many Apple fans, LiDAR first appeared in 1961, when under the guidance of Malcolm Stitch, Hughes Aircraft Company from the USA, it was discovered a new utility of laser beams. And the laser being discovered around that time.
LiDAR allows the mapping and scanning of objects or surfaces with the help of laser rays. The laser beam is sent from an emitter to a target object or surface, then it is calculated the return time of the reflected light from target to receiver. Based on these return times of the reflected light, many characteristics of the target surface or object can be determined. From the shape to the composition or density.
The mathematical formula by which LiDAR determines the distance to an object or a surface is as follows:
Formula in care “c” it is the speed of light, “d” is the distance between the detector and the detected target object or surface, and “t” is the time interval in which the laser beam reaches the target object yes go back to the source.
Where is LiDAR used?
Until it was present on the iPhone, this system helped the Apollo 15 mission in 1971 to map and map the surface of the Moon. The moment when the term "LiDAR" became known in specialized magazines and began to appear on the lips of many people.
This laser system has been used for many years in atmospheric physics, meteorology, forestry, topography, geodesy, geography, geology, archeology and in many other research and development areas and industries.
It is of course also used for military purposes since it was discovered, for the improvement and development of defensive or neutralization weapons.
The LiDAR system is widely used today by 3D applications, creative applications and especially in applications of augmented reality (WITH). The system being able to scan, map and map with great accuracy the surfaces or objects towards which it is oriented. It helps to transpose real environments into virtual ones, keeping all the characteristics, from dimensions to exact shapes.
What does LiDAR do on the iPhone?
Apple introduced the LiDAR sensor for the first time on the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, and it was to be maintained on the entire Pro range that followed, including the iPad Pro.
What is LiDAR in applications?
The LiDAR scanner is used by applications for measuring and mapping objects or surfaces. For example, it is used in furniture store applications, which allow you to scan with the help of LiDAR all the rooms you are going to furnish or decorate. Choose furniture or decoration pieces and place them in the scanned space where they will be placed.
This scanner can also be used for the whole house. Some real estate web pages offer customers 3D representations of houses for sale. Customers can see in detail each element, both inside the house and outside.
Nighttime photos are much clearer with the LiDAR scanner.
What is LiDAR for iPhone photos?
If you want to take good pictures in low light, an iPhone with LiDAR is definitely a great help.
Most smartphones and cameras use the automatic focusing method with phase and contrast detection (Focus Pixels) for night time. The iPhone equipped with this LiDAR scanner and sensor will calculate and measure the light rays that come to the sensor much better, the automatic focus is much better, and in combination with the night mode it will lead to taking much clearer photos with more light. The photographed object or the scene will be much brighter in the picture than you can perceive in reality with the naked eye.
Believe me, the naked eye cannot see as many details of a black cat in low light as an iPhone 13 Pro with night mode supported by LiDAR can capture in a picture.
The usefulness of this sensor can be found in "Camera" applications, augmented reality (AR) applications, surface measurement applications, 3D scanning applications and measurement of objects, plants and other elements around us.
