A new laser-based lidar system can create detailed three-dimensional facial images from 325 metres away, far beyond what the human eye can distinguish. Developed by Aongus McCarthy and his team at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, the device achieves remarkable depth resolution, capturing surface details as small as 1 millimetre.
How the System Works
The lidar technology emits laser pulses that bounce off objects and return to the device, measuring the time taken to determine an object’s shape. Unlike conventional lidar, this system incorporates a highly sensitive light-detecting sensor made from an ultrathin superconducting wire. This allows it to detect individual light particles while filtering out background sunlight to improve image clarity.
Testing and Achievements
The researchers tested the device on a rooftop, capturing high-resolution 3D images of a team member’s head from 45 and 325 metres away. It also successfully scanned Lego figurines at 32 metres and a distant communication tower a kilometre away, proving its capabilities in challenging lighting conditions.
Experts praise the system’s depth resolution, with Feihu Xu from the University of Science and Technology of China calling it the best so far. Vivek Goyal from Boston University highlights its potential for autonomous vehicles and robotics, though further miniaturization is needed for practical applications.
As lidar technology advances, this breakthrough could revolutionize high-precision imaging across multiple fields.
