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of autonomous navigation.With our 3D- LiDAR, we expect to collaborate together with customers to develop applications for industrial forklifts, AGVs (autonomous guided vehicles),mobile robotics, construction and smart buildings.”


PRECISE CONTROL At the heart of the new 3D LiDAR sensing systemis a proprietary set of motor controlledmirrors, which Panasonic developed based on computer optical disk drive actuator technology, which employs high precision, reliable miniaturemotors. The 3D LiDAR employs a single laser andmoving


mirror for the detection operation, with the laser light travelling along the same optical path. The mirrormoves in two different optical planes through the use of twomotors. The single-path design and wide angle ofmirrormovement enables such a wide viewing angle both vertically and horizontally. The pulse fromthe laser diode is reflected froma


fixedmirror to a secondmirror, the position of which can be varied. Onemotor controls the horizontal angle while a second controls the vertical. The pulse returns along the same path to the photo detector.


VARIABLE RESOLUTION Another factor which differentiates the 3D LiDAR fromsystems used in autonomous cars and for ADAS applications is the ability to vary resolution settings based on environmental factors. The resolution formost LiDAR sensors is fixed. On the 3D LiDAR, the resolution can be varied


fromlow resolutions for performing quick scans within a wide range for object detection to high resolutions at lower speeds for gainingmore detail of the target object. According to Panasonic, autonomous robotic systems do not need to sense objects in detail when


theymove on flat surfaces with fewer objects in the vicinity. In this case, the object detection sensor can be scanned at relatively high speed in accordance with the robot’s speed. On the other hand, in an area withmanymoving people or objects, it requires high sensing resolutions with a wide angle of view. Furthermore, the sensor needs to examine the details of the object’s


surface that has been detected.


Panasonic’s 3D LiDAR can easily vary the detection settings thanks to its laser- scanning technology. Stable and time-effective


 Clockwise from above: the Panasonic 3D LiDAR sensor has been designed to be mounted on robotic machinery and used in harsh environments; example of detection image under strong sunlight (left image by camera, right image by 3D LiDAR); most LiDAR sensors can perform scans quickly over a narrow angle; the 3D LiDAR sensor can perform a quick scan over wide angles or slower, more detailed scans of target objects at a set range; and two precision motors move the objective mirror to enable wide angles of scanning to be achieved


operations of autonomous robots can be achieved by choosing themost suitable detection settings depending on the conditions of the areas where they will be used.


SUNLIGHT RESISTANCE Optical systems and camera-based sensors are prone to problems in variable lighting conditions, particularly where there are shadows or strong sources of light.With agricultural and warehouse vehicles having to cope with wide ranges of strength in ambient light, it’s important that the sensors are able to cope with this so that autonomous control is maintained regardless of conditions. Panasonic has overcome this in the 3D LiDAR by


reducing the noise that’s induced by strong sunlight. According to Kapoor, this is achieved bymaking the return light follow the same path as the emitted laser. “As a result, the newly developed 3D LiDAR can


be operated with high accuracy even under a light intensity of 100,000 lux, corresponding to strong sunlight in summer-time,” he concludes. EE


 To readmore on robotics online, scan the QR code or visit https://goo.gl/9urvkR


December 2017 /// Environmental Engineering /// 47


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