What is LiDAR?

What is LiDAR?

LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a sensing technology that measures distances by emitting laser pulses and analysing the reflected light. By sending out millions of laser pulses per second and precisely timing how long each pulse takes to return after bouncing off objects, LiDAR systems build detailed three-dimensional maps of their surroundings with centimetre-level accuracy.

Think of LiDAR as a laser-based measuring tape that can take millions of measurements per second in every direction simultaneously. The result is a dense "point cloud" — a three-dimensional representation of the environment made up of millions of individually measured points, each with precise location coordinates.

How LiDAR Works

Basic Principles

A LiDAR system consists of three core components:

1. Laser emitter — sends out rapid pulses of laser light, typically in the near-infrared spectrum
2. Scanner and optics — directs the laser pulses across the target area in a systematic pattern
3. Photodetector and receiver — captures the returning light and precisely measures the round-trip time

The distance to each point is calculated using the speed of light: Distance = (Speed of Light x Time) / 2

Types of LiDAR

Airborne LiDAR Mounted on aircraft, helicopters, or drones, airborne LiDAR maps terrain, vegetation, and structures from above. It is widely used for topographic surveying, forestry management, and flood risk assessment.

Terrestrial LiDAR Ground-based systems, either stationary (mounted on tripods) or mobile (mounted on vehicles), capture detailed scans of buildings, infrastructure, and environments at ground level.

Automotive LiDAR Compact, high-speed systems designed for vehicles, providing real-time 3D mapping of the road environment for autonomous driving. These systems are becoming smaller, cheaper, and more capable with each generation.

Solid-State LiDAR Newer designs that eliminate moving parts, resulting in smaller, more reliable, and less expensive sensors. This advancement is accelerating LiDAR adoption across industries.

LiDAR versus Camera-Based Systems

While cameras capture rich colour and texture information, LiDAR provides precise distance measurements regardless of lighting conditions. LiDAR works equally well in darkness, bright sunlight, and low-contrast environments where cameras struggle. Most advanced systems combine both technologies for comprehensive environmental understanding.

Business Applications

Autonomous Vehicles

LiDAR is a critical sensor for self-driving vehicles, providing the precise 3D environmental mapping needed for safe navigation. While some companies are pursuing camera-only approaches, most autonomous vehicle developers consider LiDAR essential for safety-critical distance measurement. The technology is equally relevant for autonomous trucks, delivery robots, and mining vehicles.

Urban Planning and Smart Cities

Cities across Southeast Asia use LiDAR for:

• Digital twin creation — building precise 3D models of urban environments for planning and simulation
• Infrastructure assessment — measuring structural deformation, subsidence, and deterioration
• Flood modelling — creating accurate elevation maps for flood risk prediction
• Urban growth monitoring — tracking construction and land use changes over time

Singapore's comprehensive 3D city model, one of the most detailed in the world, relies heavily on LiDAR data.

Agriculture and Forestry

• Precision agriculture — mapping terrain for drainage planning, measuring crop canopy height, and guiding autonomous farm equipment
• Forest inventory — measuring tree height, density, and biomass across large areas
• Palm oil plantation management — mapping plantation terrain and monitoring tree health across Southeast Asia's extensive palm oil regions

Mining and Quarrying

LiDAR measures stockpile volumes, monitors pit wall stability, maps underground tunnels, and guides autonomous mining vehicles. For Southeast Asia's significant mining operations in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, LiDAR provides safety and efficiency improvements.

Construction and Infrastructure

• Progress monitoring — comparing as-built conditions against design models
• Quality assurance — verifying that construction matches specifications
• Heritage preservation — creating detailed digital records of historical structures
• Bridge and road inspection — detecting structural changes and deterioration over time

Telecommunications

LiDAR data helps plan cellular network coverage by accurately modelling terrain, vegetation, and buildings that affect signal propagation. This supports the ongoing 5G rollout across Southeast Asian countries.

LiDAR in Southeast Asia

The technology is seeing growing adoption across the region:

• Singapore leads in urban LiDAR deployment, with comprehensive 3D city mapping supporting smart city initiatives
• Indonesia uses airborne LiDAR for deforestation monitoring, peatland mapping, and disaster risk assessment across its vast archipelago
• Thailand and Vietnam deploy LiDAR for agricultural mapping and infrastructure development
• Malaysia utilises LiDAR for palm oil plantation management and flood risk mapping
• The Philippines uses LiDAR extensively for disaster preparedness, having mapped much of the country's flood-prone terrain following Typhoon Haiyan

Technical Considerations

Cost Trends

LiDAR costs have decreased dramatically. Automotive LiDAR sensors that cost tens of thousands of dollars a few years ago are now available for hundreds of dollars. Drone-mounted LiDAR systems have similarly become more accessible. This cost reduction is opening new applications and markets.

Data Volume

LiDAR generates massive point cloud datasets — a single survey can produce billions of points. Storing, processing, and analysing this data requires robust infrastructure and specialised software. Cloud-based point cloud processing platforms are making this more manageable.

Integration with Other Data

LiDAR data is most valuable when combined with:

• Camera imagery — adding colour and texture to 3D point clouds
• GPS/GNSS data — providing precise geographic coordinates
• GIS (Geographic Information Systems) — integrating with spatial databases and mapping platforms
• Building Information Models (BIM) — connecting to design and construction data

Getting Started

1. Define the spatial data requirement — what needs to be measured and to what precision?
2. Choose the appropriate LiDAR type — airborne, terrestrial, or mobile based on the application
3. Assess whether to build or buy — LiDAR survey services are widely available and often more cost-effective than purchasing equipment
4. Plan for data processing — point cloud processing requires specialised software and skills
5. Consider integration needs — how will LiDAR data connect with your existing systems and workflows?