Getting Started with LIDAR

Learn to use some basic LIDAR devices, with an Arduino and a PC.
LIDAR units provided by DFRobot - www.dfrobot.com/
Full Article at dronebotworkshop.com/getting-...
More articles and tutorials: dronebotworkshop.com
Join the conversation on the forum: forum.dronebotworkshop.com
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TF Mini LIDAR - www.dfrobot.com/product-1702....
RPLIDAR - www.dfrobot.com/product-1125....
Today I’ll be introducing two inexpensive LIDAR devices that you can start experimenting with. These devices were provided courtesy of DFRobot, they are VERY inexpensive considering their capabilities. Visit their store at www.dfrobot.com/ to see these and other LIDAR units.
The first device is the TF Mini, a simple stationary LIDAR device that uses a focused infrared beam to accurately measure distances from 30 cm to 12 meters (1 to 40 feet). This compact and easy-to-use unit contains its own processor and can scan up to 100 times a seconds.
I’ll show you how the TF Mini is configured and how to use it with an Arduino, it makes a great addition to a robot and can outperform the usual ultrasonic sensors in many ways.
The second device is no less than amazing, it’s the RPLIDAR device from Robo Peak. This s a full 360-degree scanning LIDAR unit, just like you’ve seen on the top of self-driving vehicles. The possibilities in robotics for a device like this are literally endless.
I’ll first test out my RPLIDAR using a PC and some scanning software. After that, I’ll show you the basics of hooking it up to an Arduino and we’ll run a little demo sketch.
Here is what we will be covering today:
00:00 - Introduction
03:30 - Two LIDAR Devices
06:08 - How LIDAR works
09:02 - LIDAR vs. other technologies
12:11 - TF Mini LIDAR
13:52 - Logic Level (Voltage) Converters
17:23 - TF Mini with Arduino
23:37 - RPLIDAR
25:43 - RPLIDAR Scanning Demo
31:40 - RPLIDAR with Arduino

[@hemotors2519]

what you explaining is very clear, and we are the manufacturer of the LiDAR motor in your LiDAR device. Wow, I am really proud of that.

[@BarackBananabama]

This guy is an amazing teacher!

[@emptied-soul6105]

agreed!

[@pipercolt1963]

Rather than get sucked in by this conspiracy guy commenting here, I am an electrical engineer and we'll tell you this has got to be an education as they say! Not knocking school just saying however you can learn a lot from the dronebot.

[@ChadForquer]

If he wasn’t so interesting his dry presentation would not be good. The great thing is he picks interesting topics and doesn’t dumb it down to much or make it to technical.

[@BillAnt]

This guy's shop is too neat, you needa messy shop to do great work. he-he just kidding!

[@stevendam8031]

ofc!

[@namero999]

Oh brother, this channel is a pure gem... Thanks for the amazing work. Also those custom wall outlets are amazing :D

[@batkanova6736]

He explained clearly absolutely.I learned what Lidar is and how lidar is used how lidar is programmed.Thank you very much.I love you.Quality of video is amazing.

[@mrcalico7091]

Great Job again! Your presentations are always so clear, concise and complete! I'm glad I found you're "Workshop" page!

[@TheRealStructurer]

Have been watching many of your videos (and subscribed!) and follow your experiments/teachings. You keep it straight to the point and I like that you often give us a bit of background like U did with this one about the Lidar. Keep up the great work!

[@INSTRUMANROBOT]

This is by far the best LIDAR intro video I have seen and I have seen quite a few. Thank you so much!

[@Hamad.Kuwaitt]

You are Professor in the delivery of information in all simplicity 👍

[@ScootLogix]

I really enjoy watching your videos. Great balance of explanation/theory, real world use and coding with explanations.

[@MichiganPeatMoss]

As an prior electronics enthusiast, I'm here because of the article on 3D scanning of the Notre Dame cathedral, in lieu of the fire in Apr 2019. Excellent introduction to LIDAR and relevant affordable devices of present day. Thanks!

[@chrismofer]

someone definitely needs to make a system where one of these scans / sweeps an area and stores the points in a known point cloud file format so that they can be opened in 3d software and meshed

[@jorgeferreira6727]

I use a small trick with those RGB LEDs to get a clear full color range for photos , motion picture and even for the nacked eye view. Cover the LED with a tube of white paper. You get a better color mix due to the diffusion effect of the paper and the camera sensors won't saturate with excessive glow. I usually extend the paper tube one or two centimetres above the LED top and get a nice color stick.

[@omarobando8273]

Awesome tutorial. I love the straight forward detail explanation and visual, it makes it a lot easier to follow. THANK YOU very much.

[@TechDriven365]

This is the best explanation of LIDAR that I have had to watch. amazing work, sir.

[@daled.4495]

Your workshop is so organized and clean. Impressive!

[@ieduardoms]

You are the first source I use in order to know how to use electronic devices. Great explanation. Thank you very much.

[@stevensheldon9271]

This is one of the only TF LIDAR tutorial videos that mentions that you need a 3.3 to 5 TTL converter. I did not even know about such things until this video. Thank you so much! I would have hooked up my LIDAR to my Arduino and possibly damaged it.

[@RufusVidS]

I love all your videos! My current job will be using lidar, and your video is excellent introduction, and your love of the technology and sharing your knowledge is so evident in your videos!

[@dompower500]

Hi Sir. I am always following all of your youtube classes. All are excellent. Your teaching method is very simple and very easy to follow. It's easy to follow even by novice. Thank you very much sir. Expecting more from you. Pls be safe from covid-19 too.

[@johnsmith-oy9kx]

You are an amazing TEACHER ! The best LIDAR Tutorial...

[@apbosh1]

great introduction to lidars really like the way you explain things. Thanks. subscribed.

[@furiousangels6222]

Brilliant review, 45 minutes on LIDAR. 😎 Plus all in an easy to understand method, deserves much more credit for this Video!! Will be checking out all your other videos now too.... 👍

[@rpuskarcik]

I enjoyed your demo. I think your information is very well communicated. You were correct about the TTL logic detecting a high (1) at above 2.0v (not 2.8v), which is true for all families except CMOS. However, logic lows (0) must be below 0.8v, not just below 2.8v. A simple solution to reducing 5v to 3.3v is to us a zener diode (1N4614) in series with the TTL output and the 3.3v input.

[@stevenlee1726]

I can listen to your lecture all day longggggggggggggg. Very clear explanation and straight to the point

[@RogerElliott_SysGuru]

Hello, it is great these are so inexpensive now, I used a LIDAR 8 years ago which cost around $1,000 and only covered 240 degrees. 33:12 Shows MOTOCTL connecting to PIN 2, but it should be PIN 3 for PWM. The voice over is correct.

[@codecage9333]

I noticed the same error Roger! But in the example Arduino code it shows MOTOCTL on pin 3, so the astute students should have no problem catching and correcting that issue.

[@belspace]

This guy rocks! His explanations are crystal water clear !

[@phanokesak5099]

Thank you very much, and "what a very progressive educational approach..." I haven't even seen the whole time passing. There are some awesome people like you out here. Thanks

[@BADALICE]

These videos are just amazing quality. College level courses. It does not get any better.

[@acopernic]

Bravo. I think I will use this for my motorcycle to 'see' what's going on behind me but I will test if I can hide part of my motorcycle (to see 180 degrees only). Thank you for this brillant video.

[@talakael5601]

here use this for your motorcycle instead kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXzTi6Skq9aLarc

[@harrychew6359]

@@talakael5601 But he wants to make it himself? XD

[@Harsh-oo6bg]

You Sir are serving the world, would like to support your content in future.

[@BADALICE]

This could be used for targeting. Thank you. love it.

[@666marsipulami]

Real great explanation of different modules you can use with Arduino. I just love these videos from him. Thank you very much! Great work!

[@TheSulross]

there are a number of good channels that do tutorials on tech subjects with decent, knowlegable instructors, but am thinking this channel is perhaps at the very top in so far as clarity of the instruction, the pacing, and interest aspect of the topics covered

[@GAment_11]

Subscribed. Thank you so much for your expertise, you make learning fun!

[@user-di4bt7qu2i]

I'm new to this channel and this is the first vid I have seen. So far, so good. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

[@mhelvaci2156]

Just exellent job what your are doing, great expression ability and clear technical definiton for even dummies. Thanks a lot

[@yellowboxster06]

Great job as always. I appreciate your technical discipline (on color coding, logic levels, etc) when interconnecting devices for demonstration. I look forward to your videos particularly on LIDAR applications. I was actually one of those military guys, way back when, trying to figure out how do make best use of LIDAR for remote sensing and target classification. At the time we were living with the common notion that RADAR was only marginally effective in any given application. We needed better resolution and LIDAR looked promising despite some obvious limitations. Fast forward to today's technology and here we are experimenting with low cost devices that are eye-watering in their capability.

[@danielash1704]

Back up camera software for the purpose of windowing a zone detecting in it. The basic security cameras have zones of activation of motion alarm systems most will have a hard wired sockets to screw down to sensors or lidar tab tip.

[@foobarmaximus3506]

So you were a truck driver then?

[@eduardo33]

Only one thumb up is not enough for your work. Congratulations !

[@fluxoff]

I"'ve been waiting a long time for these devices to be created & sold. Thanks ever so much for the demo& sketches!

[@christophehebb1555]

Thanks a lot, I wasn't expecting a video on this topic so soon. Great tutorial again!

[@urishani]

sounds great also with 1.25 and 1.5 speedups... ;) love these tutorials. great quality and informative.

[@abdraoufx]

It's amazing how arduino opens so many possibilities.

[@AlreadyThere1965]

Just found you channel, this is great stuff. This is one project I am going to put on the build list.

[@markhowell25]

Thanks, now I get it. Perfect explanation and easy to hear, “no mumbling “.

[@fsiserir]

Thank you very much for explaining the basic principle of lidar.

[@jmitsch44827]

Fantastic video. I am euphoric, with all of the knowledge I have gained from these videos. The detailed explanation makes everything clear. Your communication skills are excellent Thank you!

[@Rampuniernix]

explaining speed, visualizations -very well done! thank you so much!

[@yashaswigowda3535]

Great video for LiDAR Beginners! Looking forward for the upcoming ones :)

[@matiknik]

This is just so amazing, patiently explained in detail. Thanks for Sharing. Cheers! :D

[@Eurus721]

Excellent video and great information. I’m hoping to begin working with that system in a few months. Thank you

[@skiltonable]

Excellent demonstration. As an introduction, the detail and pace is very good. Many thanks.

[@johnharper9829]

I just got an RPLIDAR, and wanted to know what to do with it. Thank you very much for your easy-to-follow teaching style!

[@nettyvoyager6336]

what is amazing ! is your workshop a true testament to you're commitment, without the interference of a wife, she must love you, as much as my wife loves me, hence my spare room is now a workshop :)

[@mutalasuragemohammed6954]

Love your calming demeanor. Explanation superb, and your practical very practical.

[@dgb5820]

Love your workshop and really appreciate your subject on Lidar

[@Atka59]

Well presented and clearly explained in a logical fashion, with excellent diagrams as well. Awesome! I suspect that a lidar will be in my future, it is just too interesting to pass on. Thank you.

[@toriless]

He has it go to pin 2 not pin 3.

[@nzachariah9669]

A practical approach to explaining LIDAR. Great work! :)

[@LukesVideoLounge]

Amazing video really well explained and helpful. Hoping to use LiDAR for my project so this has been a great help.

[@mhspv06]

This video was EXACTLY what I was looking for thank you!!

[@TheShovon123]

Amazingly explained. Thank you so much

[@barrycrowder]

Excellent video. It's not easy to present so much detail about a complex issue as LIDAR in such a well organized way. I particularly like how you introduce your subject and what you will be talking about, then how you show as well as tell. And your use of text and graphics is top notch. I've definitely added LIDAR to my list of technologies to explore based on this video. I'm subscribing based on your excellent production value.

[@spicesmuggler2452]

calm down Barry

[@robertst-laurent6452]

Like all of your videos; masterpieces learning tools. You master a very rare talent of teaching complex subjects and making those pure and precious moments of enrichment of knowledge. We now live in a ‘da Vinci’ world of creativity available for all at home where you can get some of the very best CAD tools for free. It is people, angels like you that are giving us this new era, this "da Vinci world of creativity and inspiration" where true happiness in life is giving it to others first.

[@contarinifamily2183]

Really enjoyed this video. Thanks for giving up your time to do this.

[@seraiahlopez6]

Just earned a new subscriber, this video is incredible thank you!

[@stetiennealain7504]

Very good demonstration and education

[@tiagogodinho1090]

Congratulations. These videos of yours are awesome. Nice job!

[@srinivasancheenu1908]

very informative ....a clear and crisp explanation

[@user-hw9hu9kl3c]

Hi Sir. I am always following all of your youtube classes. All are excellent. Your teaching method is very simple and very easy to follow. It's easy to follow even by novice. Thank you very much sir. Expecting more from you.

[@warrenking1815]

Excellent video, very informative and clear. Thank you

[@brand-konto2100]

Hello Bill, very (very!) good workshops, thank you so much to for these easy-entry (especially for non-electricians like me) explanations.

[@RelentlessHomesteading]

Wonderful video and I really appreciated the depth - first time to your channel - to which I subscribed.

[@geraldmiller5260]

A perfect workshop arrangement!

[@schregen]

Amazing video! You're a cool dude! Love hearing about LIDAR and also the history of the technology 💚💛💙💜🍄

[@vennuroopa]

Great Explanation and very clear. Thank you very much sir

[@vic64583]

Thank you!! Your code and explanation helped me to get TFLuna work!!!

[@stephenguess]

Very good instructional video with great background info. Subscribed!

[@jakejoker9879]

love your classes, you are a great teacher 👍

[@joelabranche3251]

We use LiDar as a surveying tool. I just started playing with the Arduino for fun. However, what I see here is the marriage between them is quite exciting, thanks for a great lesson.

[@JBS1974]

Thank you very much for the knowledge you share with us!

[@anthonywright2628]

thank you for passing on your knowledge

[@MakerFarmNL]

This is a very high quality channel!! Thank you sir!

[@victor.kopsch]

Iam watching all your videos and i enjoy treaty much til now. Keep it up your excellent work.

[@threeelancer]

Always great lessons. Thank you.

[@therealhustle7808]

wow, this guy really knows what he's doing!!

[@luisvivanco8544]

Thank you very much, clearly and excellent explanation.

[@kissingfrogs]

awesome video. you have helped answer many questions i had about LIDAR

[@yushenghuang7814]

Thanks for sharing. It is really an amazing tutorial.

[@adamnowak8876]

That’ a one clean workshop. Nice

[@kaden56]

I really enjoy your videos and I envy your shop! Great work!

[@asp72147450]

Very nice and clear for each step.Appreciated.

[@DAzZuLK]

9:20 just adding to your description. It is adjusted to one temperature/air pressure. I use it to show my students how the speed of sound gets lower at higher temperatures (using a lighter between the path of sensor and object) and seeing how it measures a higher distance. Obviously with the math included. Thank for another awesome video!

[@LarryGreen]

Thank you so much for the step by step instruction and also the background and reasons for tasks performed. I am currently working on a project that has 6 steps, I wish to add a interrupt that would trip in the event of a safety proximity sensor being tripped, yet upon resuming, to return to the exact point where the interrupt took place in the 6 step process, any assistance that you could provide would be great. Thank you again for all that you have offered.

[@tvnsi8556]

Thank you for great job. You are teaching me not electronics only. You are teaching how to teach. Your trainings like standard meter in Paris ))

[@grateful4068]

I really want to get one of these for obstacle avoidance for a DIY auto-mower. So cool.

[@theflyingdutchman787]

Great video. I just love the layout of your shop.

[@vaseemmehrancp9372]

Thank you very much sir .. An awesome session on LIDAR .. I haven't skipped any bit of this video .. Really informative .

[@haroldvann1548]

He is an awesome teacher.

[@Scriven42]

Underrated hint about the white- and colour-balance focus-"dummy" of yourself @28:45 ish! Fantastic idea!

[@electronic7979]

Excellent video

[@victororo462]

Thank you for the video! The software that comes with the 100 unit is basically all that I would need when I'm out in the field. I've been needing a tool that would allow me to see in complete darkness out in the forest. I have animals that approach me while I'm in my vehicle. I've attempted ultra sonic sensors mounted on servos that sweep back and forth. Much too slow and thanks to the servos, far too noisy. I cannot wait for this! Thank you again for this informative video! 1 million Thumbs Up!

[@AgentOffice]

You might like time of flight sensors

[@darrenp9454]

I just discovered your channel and I am extremely impressed with how you explain concepts and keep the subjects interesting. By the way, you sound Canadian, and I recognize some of your tools being from a certain tire vendor...

[@6ggtov72]

Yeah his accent throws me off sometimes.

[@6ggtov72]

@@Daniel-js3tx As a native Texan, many would agree that, yes, I have an accent. Regarding being from another country, well... In relation to which country? Yours? His? I am American and speak English well. We can deduce from that. His pronunciations are not American. Presumably Canadian.. I'm no linguist but I believe a lot can agree with me that it's different. Pro-sessor vs Praw-sensor. The latter being American.

[@6ggtov72]

Nevertheless, his presentation was highly informative and well presented. Bravo!

[@billfield8300]

@@6ggtov72 Thats funny Frank.. I find him perfectly understandable... haha. I'm from the Toronto Ontario area. and some ppl might argue that you actually speak 'American'. Not to worry, The 'English' (read British) would say I don't speak English either. And for the record, yes he is Canadian. Have a good one.