lidar

or LI·DAR

[ lahy-dahr ]

noun

, Electronics, Optics.

1. a device similar to radar in principle and operation but using infrared laser light instead of radio waves and capable of detecting particles, distant objects, and varying physical conditions in the atmosphere.

lidar

/ lī′där /

1. A method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysis of pulsed laser light reflected from their surfaces. Lidar operates on the same principles as radar and sonar .
2. The equipment used in such detection.
3. See also Doppler effect

Word History and Origins

Origin of lidar¹

1960–65; li(ght ¹ ) + (ra)dar

Example Sentences

In 2022, the team returned with a drone equipped with a lidar sensor, which helped peel back the surfaces to unveil walls, guard towers, intricate architectural features and other fortifications in Tugunbulak.

From BBC

By calculating how long it takes light to bounce twice and then return to the lidar sensor, PlatoNeRF captures additional information about the scene, including depth.

From Science Daily

One of the key technical struggles was the space laser, or lidar.

From BBC

For self-driving cars, however, practice may not be enough because the lidar sensors that often act as these vehicles' "eyes" have difficulty detecting dark-colored objects.

From Science Daily

Researchers have developed a compact and lightweight single-photon airborne lidar system that can acquire high-resolution 3D images with a low-power laser.

From Science Daily