How to choose a mobile robot LiDAR
Portée, FoV et résolution
Size range for stopping distance and FoV for blind spots; resolution must cover the smallest critical obstacle.
Environnement et intégration
Check IP rating, temperature, weight, power draw and the availability of a maintained ROS 2 driver.
Compatible LiDAR sensors
12 catalog products match these criteria.
RPLIDAR A3
25 m · ROS driver (open source)
SlamtecRPLIDAR A1
12 m · ROS driver (open source)
RoboSenseE1
30 m @10% · RoboSense SDK
HesaiFTX 140
20 m @10% · Vendor SDK
RoboSenseHelios
120 m · RoboSense SDK
HesaiJT128
40 m @10% (60 m max) · Vendor drivers
LivoxMid-360
40 m typ. (100 m max) · Livox SDK and ROS drivers
BenewakeTFmini
12 m · ROS driver
Pepperl+FuchsR2000
Up to 30 m · ROS driver available
HesaiXT32
120 m @10% (200 m max) · Vendor drivers
SICKpicoScan150
65 m · sick_scan_xd (ROS 2)
HokuyoUST-20LX
20 m · Hokuyo ROS driver
Related guides and articles
Choosing a LiDAR for a mobile robot
A practical method to connect robot scenario, field of view, useful range, latency and software integration before choosing a sensor.
LiDAR integration checklist: what to validate before deployment
A structured checklist to secure the mechanical, electrical, software and field integration of a LiDAR sensor.
Main LiDAR technology families: mechanical, solid-state, MEMS, flash and FMCW
A clear overview of LiDAR architectures to understand their technical trade-offs and typical use cases.
Integrating a LiDAR in ROS2: Complete Guide
Step-by-step guide to integrate an Ouster, Hesai, Livox or SICK LiDAR into ROS2: drivers, network setup, PTP, QoS, RViz2, SLAM and sensor fusion.
LiDAR FAQ: 20 Questions and Answers to Understand Everything
Everything you need to know about LiDAR in 20 technical questions: range, FoV, solid-state vs mechanical, FMCW, ROS, SLAM, pricing, accuracy and eye safety.
Understanding LiDAR Data: Point Clouds, Formats and ROS
Point clouds, intensity, multiple echoes, PCD/LAS/ROSbag formats: everything you need to know to work with raw LiDAR sensor data.
FAQ
What LiDAR range should an AMR use?
Useful range should exceed maximum stopping distance with margin for low-reflectivity targets. Indoors, 20 to 50 meters is often sufficient depending on speed.
Does a mobile robot need 2D or 3D LiDAR?
2D works well in flat, controlled environments. 3D better detects ramps, overhanging objects and complex geometry, but needs more bandwidth and compute.
Is ROS 2 support essential?
It is strongly recommended when the robotics stack uses ROS 2. A maintained driver reduces integration time and improves confidence in updates, timestamps and point formats.