Sweep Scanning LiDAR

[Mechvet]

Originally Posted by Andrew Duerner

This morning I got some more info from Tyson, "Sweep uses a future version of the LiDAR-Lite sensor from Pulsed Light 3d (now Garmin). It has about 6 times the range of the current cheapest LiDAR and is quieter, lower power and more reliable in sunlit environments".

What would be great in the future to see robot autonomous routines that can progress past preset positional movements to actual field and alliance member awareness. Also, if autonomous gets easier to implement, and more teams demonstrate ability, FIRST may start to give a little more time than 15 seconds for auto.

I've been waiting for LiDAR systems to drop in price enough for FRC use. From my experience with HOKUYO and SICK systems, I'm curious how they would handle the clear polycarb and highly reflective diamond plate used on a FIRST field. I know filtering for false distances would be very doable (the field is linear), but too much reflection would absolutely degrade resolution and accuracy, as well as bog down coprocessor time.

Has the team who's used one of these tested them on a field with official FRC materials? Any data/insight they could share regarding the potential reflections/clear surface issue would be great to learn from.