What I Am Working on Today
Today I am working with the LiDAR sensor on the new iPhone 12 Pro.
What is LiDAR? Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) measures distance using reflected light, usually from a laser measuring the time of flight of the light pulse.
The iPhone 12 Pro and 2020 iPad Pro have a new LiDAR scanner that adds depth scanning for better images. Other mobile devices use LiDAR technology to measure distances of a few feet the LiDAR sensor on the iPhone and iPad works with much higher precision at a distance of up to five meters.
Why do I care? I want to use the sensor to make highly detailed 3D models of objects and spaces for use in iOS apps and websites.
App Store – 3dScanner App 
App Store – 3dScanner App
This is my first attempt at scanning a 3D model of my house using an app called simply enough 3dScanner App. It is UGLY but has potential.
Resources
- WWDC 2020 – Explore ARKit 4
- Apple – Visualizing a Point Cloud Using Scene Depth
- Wikipedia – Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM)
Apple Tip
What to do If you forgot your Apple Screen Time passcode