A qualitative study of LiDAR technologies and their application areas

Abstract

In this work, the most relevant 3D LiDAR technologies and their applications in 2022 were investigated. For this purpose, applications of LiDAR systems were classified into the typical application areas "3D modeling", "smart city", "robotics", "smart automotive" and "consumer goods". The investigation has shown that neither "mechanical" LiDAR technologies, nor so-called solid-state LiDAR technologies, nor "hybrid" LiDAR technologies can be evaluated as optimal for the typical application areas. In none of the application areas could all of the elaborated requirements be met. However, the "hybrid" LiDAR technologies such as sequential MEMS LiDAR technology and sequential flash LiDAR technology proved to be among the most suitable for most typical application areas. However, other technologies also tended to be suitable for individual typical application areas. Finally, it was found that several of the LiDAR technologies investigated are currently equally suitable for some typical application areas. To evaluate the suitability, concrete LiDAR systems - of different technologies and properties - were compared with the specific requirements of exemplary applications of an application area. The results of the investigation provide an orientation as to which LiDAR technology is promising for which application area.