Workflow – LiDAR/AR Training Day

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.

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

SpaceX Status Report