LiDAR
It’s in the iPad Pro and coming to iPhones too. But what is it?
HOW IT WORKS
YOU WILL LEARN
You’ll learn why LiDAR means much more awesome AR apps.
LiDAR is like radar or sonar, but it uses light instead of radio waves or sound waves
Key fact
LiDAR sensors produce their own light source in frequencies invisible to the naked eye. When that light hits an object it is reflected, and those reflections are picked up by the LiDAR sensor immediately. Many technologies promise light-speed performance, but LiDAR actually delivers it.
You’ve heard of sonar. You’ve heard of radar. But you might not know LiDAR, the distance-sensing technology Apple added
to the 2020 iPad Pro. Apple says it “delivers cutting-edge depth-sensing capabilities, opening up more pro workflows and supporting pro photo and video apps”.
It’s all about echoes
If you’ve ever shouted into a cave or in an empty building - and let’s face it, who hasn’t? - you’ll be familiar with echoes. When you shout, the sound waves you’ve made with your mouth reach the walls and bounce back to you, giving you an echo.