IoT-based low-cost 3D mapping using 2D Lidar for different materials

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) mapping is the technology of profiling objects in three dimensions to map them in real life. 3D mapping is an excellent tool for analysis, surveying, and other engineering domains. 3D light detection and ranging (Lidar) technology usually does 3D mapping, but the cost of 3D Lidar is very high, which constrains its applicability in the Industry. The need for a low-cost 3D mapping has increased widely. A cost-effective 3D mapping based on the Internet of Things (IoT) using 2D Lidar is proposed. 2D Lidar is lower in cost than 3D Lidar, so it completely replaces the 3D Lidar for applications that need moderate or low accuracy. This research sought to confirm the applicability of this low-cost IoT-based advanced sensing technology, i.e., Lidar, in the engineering domain. A two-dimensional Lidar mapping system prototype is constructed, and the same is used to generate three-dimensional (3D) point cloud models. Lidar measurements are greatly dependent on the materials. Every material has different absorbance and reflectivity, which alter the Lidar measurements. In this research, we have shown how different material affects Lidar accuracy.