LiDAR is an excellent feature on iPhones that you may not even know about.
you might use LiDAR to blend the real and virtual worlds if you have a compatible smartphone.
What Is LiDAR?
LiDAR is different from technologies like RADAR.
LiDAR is short for “light detection and ranging.”
To make things short, LiDAR involves shooting an invisible laser into your surroundings.
LiDAR is used in many industries, including aviation, satellites, and self-driving vehicles.
But LiDAR technology entered the smartphone market in 2020 with Apple’s Pro iPhones and iPads.
Unfortunately, no Android phone has a built-in LiDAR sensor at the moment.
However, some models use time-of-flight (ToF) sensors instead, which offer a similar function.
you might check out thedifference between ToF and LiDARto see how they work.
Now, without further ado, let’s see how you could use the LiDAR scanner on your iPhone.
Taking Even Better Photos
iPhones have been taking great pictures for years now.
Many people love using iPhones for photography because they take high-resolution, detailed, and color-accurate pictures.
But one thing that smartphones, in general, struggle with is low-light photography.
In fact,Apple claimsiPhones with LiDAR can focus up to six times faster, even in low-light conditions.
A LiDAR-equipped iPhone can detect highly accurate information about how big objects are and their distance from each other.
That lets the iPhone create much more accurate measurements.
Here’s astep-by-step guide on using the Measure appon your iPhone to start measuring things with just your phone.
Immersive AR Gaming
In 2016, we saw Pokemon Go take the world by storm.
The game used AR technology to bring virtual Pokemon to real-world locations.
Games like RC Club use your iPhone’s LiDAR sensor to scan your surroundings to create an augmented-reality playground.
That lets virtual objects interact with the real world on screen.
We’re still in the early days of LiDAR-enabled mobile games, and many still feel like tech demos.
But expect to see more and more AR games take advantage of LiDAR in the future.
Download:RC Clubfor iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
4.
Apps like Room Planner use LiDAR to place virtual furniture and home decor models directly into your house.
LiDAR can make decorating (or redecorating) your home easier than ever.
Download:Room Plannerfor iOS (Subscription required)
5.
This technology lets developers scan real-life objects and bring them into the virtual world.
But with LiDAR, you could now use the same techniques as the pros in your own projects.
Trying to recreate 3D models of real-world objects by hand can be an extremely time-consuming process.
you might then transfer that model to your projects in Blender or Unreal Engine.
Download:RealityScanfor iOS (Free)
6.
Creating VR Worlds
LiDAR is excellent for creating 3D models of objects in the real world.
But did you know it’s possible for you to also use LiDAR to create entire virtual spaces?
you’re able to use LiDAR to generate virtual copies of real-life locations.
LiDAR can help you bridge the gap between the virtual and real worlds.
Potential buyers can take a virtual tour before setting up a real-life visit.
Unfortunately, it’s a pro-only feature for now.
So, you might need to upgrade your iPhone before you could take advantage of it.
