Lidar has emerged as a great detection technology. It can be used alone or integrated with other systems. This note discusses how the user can optimize their lidar to achieve maximum security.
Lidar has emerged as a great detection technology. It can be used alone or integrated with other systems. This note discusses how the user can optimize their lidar to achieve maximum security.
Lidar, which stands for “light detection and ranging,” has certain advantages over other security systems. Compared to
IP cameras, for example, lidar can see and identify object regardless time of the day or weather condition. It also has greater image clarity compared to
radar.
This makes lidar a great security solution, with both outdoor and indoor applications. “Lidar is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications given that it is light agnostic. Some short-range lidar makers are more suitable for indoor applications while long-range lidar sensors can meet long range requirements for outdoor,” said Akram Benmbarek, VP of Business Development and Strategic Initiatives at AEye.
"Lidar is very well suited for both (indoors and outdoors), although the requirements may differ. A more extensive range is usually critical for outdoor applications, while a higher resolution is imperative indoors," said Florian Petit, Founder of Blickfeld.
Optimizing results
It’s established that lidar is a great detection technology. Yet how to use it to reach optimal results is also critical. Below we discuss certain tips on how to get the most of lidar.
How many needed
When it comes to installation, one of the first questions people may ask is how many lidar devices are needed. This obviously depends on several factors.
“Just like cameras, depending upon the size of the area you are looking to monitor or secure, you may need one or several lidar sensors. Multi-lidar sensor fusion is common to monitor large areas,” Benmbarek said.
According to Jon Barad, VP of Business Development at Velodyne, variables to take into consideration are:
- The environment in which you’re trying to cover
- Resolution needed
- Range
- Directional versus rotational needs
- Field of view (FOV)
Integration
Lidar can be standalone or integrated with other security systems. While it has certain nadvantages over other devices, integrating with them can offer more value to end users. One example is lidar integration with security cameras.
“In fact, it is the recommended practice where lidar is used to detect, track, and guide PTZ cameras to the intruder. The lidar system delivers an object list that provides all the relevant classification and localization information to activate other sensors and take over,” Benmbarek said.
“Lidar may integrate with other security systems, such as cameras, if the application requires both. Lidar is able to detect movement and as a result of that movement, a security camera, which is synched to lidar, will rotate, positioning the camera on the movement. Camera and lidar are often complementary to each other, as they provide different levels of classification,” Barad said.
Cost-effectiveness
A lidar device may be more expensive than other sensors. But looking at the larger picture, lidar can be more cost-effective down the road.
“When considering the total scope of system components required to achieve optimal levels of performance and perception coverage, along with the added operational efficiency of lidar-based systems, it is often a more affordable approach than cameras, pending the application use,” Barad said. “A single lidar sensor can provide a full 360-degree view of the surroundings with a range up to 300 meters, whereas a camera can only provide a two-dimensional view, requiring multiple camera installations to ensure full coverage.”
“Lidars can be more expensive than cameras, but they replace multiple sensors with just one device while offering better robustness, reliability, and a longer range. Reducing false alarms also has a substantial cost-saving factor because it cuts down the time wasted by the security personnel in needlessly rushing to the premises,” Petit said. “The reason why people are still a little hesitant in adopting LiDARs is their novelty in security systems, and we are looking to change that!”
Conclusion
In the end, lidar does offer certain benefits that other security systems otherwise cannot. Yet, no technology is perfect, and lidar may not be the best fit for some. The user, then, needs to take certain factors – for example their overall objectives, areas to cover and budget – into consideration, before making a purchasing decision.