Conventional sensors such as cameras and radars struggle to meet the complex demands of the rail industry due to their numerous limitations and potential operational challenges. Lidar is transforming the rail industry and in the upcoming years, it will be imperative to implement computer vision based perception technology like LiDAR to help identify safety issues, minimize risk, improve operations, and make rail more competitive.
This is also true for the whole supply chain: to increase safety and efficiency, ports, local delivery services and trucking businesses have already started integrating LiDAR sensors into their infrastructures.
To gain maximum benefits in the rail business, it is crucial to comprehend how LiDAR technology works, and why you should look into it.
How does LiDAR work?
LiDAR is a technology that uses laser beams to measure distances with an unprecedented level of accuracy.
Here’s how it works : a LiDAR device sends out a laser beam, which bounces off an object and returns to the device. The time it takes for the laser to return to the device is measured, and this data is used to calculate the distance between the LiDAR and the object.
By scanning the laser beam across an object – or environment – and measuring the distance at many different points, the LiDAR can create a detailed 3D map of any area and can track movement in this area.
Why is LiDAR relevant to the Rail Industry?
The complicated requirements of the rail sector cannot be met by conventional sensors like cameras and radars, due to their many limitations and potential operational difficulties.
For the complete article on how lidar is transforming the rail industry CLICK HERE.
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