LiDAR, a remote-sensing method using pulsed lasers to measure range, is proving to be of high value in supply chain automation, says Peipei Zhao, president of North America with Robosense.

The acronym LiDAR stands for light detection and ranging. Involving the use of pulsed lasers, it equips devices and vehicles with the ability to sense objects with high accuracy in real time. It has become an indispensable part of today’s autonomous driving systems, robots and smart-city infrastructures, Zhao says.

LiDAR has applications in multiple industries, but can be of particular value in logistics and the warehouse. It can be deployed at every step of distribution, from the time that goods arrive at the distribution center to when they’re put away, picked, packaged for delivery and transported to the consumer. Its ability to sense objects in three dimensions allows facilities to maximize the use of space. “A LiDAR smart-sensing system empowers the whole process,” Zhao says.

In addition to sensing the fastest route through a warehouse, LiDAR is also instrumental in ensuring the safety of autonomous robots and lift trucks operating within the facility. It links to an emergency braking system that brings vehicles to a halt instantly when they’re in danger of colliding with people, objects or structures.

The technology is a dramatic advance over previous camera systems, and enables operations to take place without the need for illumination, Zhao notes.

He expects to see greater use of LiDAR-equipped devices in the coming years, as warehouses strive to optimize storage, speed up operations and reduce the overall cost of shipping.