Mainstream autonomous navigation is a step closer with this breakthrough LIDAR technology.
Velodyne has produced the HDL-32E LiDAR Sensor. It is smaller, lighter and more cost effective than previous products. Its application lies in autonomous navigation and 3D mapping. This model measures only 5.9 in high by 3.4 in wide (15 x 8.6 cm) and weighs less than three pounds (1.4 kg).
It has up to 32 lasers aligned over a 40 Vertical Field of View (from +10 to -30 degrees) and generates 800,000 distance points per second. It rotates 360 degrees and can measure and provide information from 5 cm to 100 m away, with an accuracy of approximately 2 cm. The 3D cloud that results will allow autonomous vehicle applications and mobile mapping applications of a much greater extent than what is currently available using conventional LiDAR sensors.
When mounted onto a harvesting machine, not only will automated navigation become more of a commercial reality, but mapping and inventory assessments could be carried out as the machine works. Source: www.velodyne.com/lidar/