Laser Measurement Systems for Obstacle Detection and More

2D systems served in robotic race across the desert, but engineers are also working on "dynamic 3D scanning"

Laser measurement systems (LMS) grabbed headlines late last year when almost every vehicle in the U.S. Defense Department's Grand Challenge employed one. All five of the robotic finishers in the race used LMS as their "eyes." In all, 18 vehicles employed 2D LMS systems from Sick Inc. and eight more used LMS from Riegl USA Inc., mostly to map the terrain in front of them, and secondarily, for obstacle detection of rocks and debris along the off-road course.

While the race highlighted the ability of the technology, it really provided only a glimpse of what LMS can do. The systems, which operate by measuring the flight time of laser light pulses after they bounce off an object, can be designed to operate in one, two or three dimensions. Moreover, they can be used to measure the volume or contours of bulk materials or packages, determine the position of pallets or industrial trucks, prevent collisions of cranes, control docking processes, charge variable tolls to different-sized vehicles or serve in security systems at refineries and nuclear plants. Riegl engineers even used the technology to help create a report on the failure of levees during Hurricane Katrina.

One of the fastest growing applications, however, may be in advanced technology for future vehicles. "There are opportunities to use this technology for vehicle back-up and parking systems, as well as automated cruise control and obstacle detection," notes Jeff Wuendry, product marketing manager for Sick Inc.

Below, we offer brief profiles of two- and three-dimensional LMS.