Lidar is useful for cars but can permanently harm cameras

Lidar enhances cars but harms smartphone cameras irreparably.

: Lidar, beneficial in automobiles for detecting surroundings, poses a significant threat to smartphone cameras, as exemplified by Volvo's EX90 with lidar systems causing permanent sensor damage. A user experienced sensor damage while filming a Volvo EX90, leading to Volvo warning against pointing cameras at its lidar sensors. The risk is exacerbated by close-range filming, prompting recommendations for safe distances or protective measures such as camera filters. Despite these risks, lidar technologies are becoming more prevalent in automotive industries like Volvo and Tesla.

Lidar, short for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure variable distances to the Earth. It's hailed as a revolutionary technology, particularly in self-driving cars due to its ability to provide a detailed, 3D map of the environment. However, while lidar is a boon for mapping and sensor detection, it presents a unique threat to camera sensors, especially in smartphones. This is because the intense light beams can overwhelm the sensors in digital cameras, leading to permanent damage.

A notable incident highlighting lidar's potential risk occurred when a user, Jeguetelli, attempted to record a new Volvo EX90 using his iPhone 16 Pro Max. The phone's camera was severely affected after being exposed to the infrared laser beams emitted from the Volvo's roof-mounted lidar. These beams created irreversible damage on the camera's image sensor, evident as clusters of fried pixels appearing in various colors. Volvo acknowledged this incident and officially cautioned against directing cameras toward lidar units to prevent damage.

Volvo's advisory noted that the concentrated lidar beam could damage camera sensors or degrade their performance, especially at close ranges where the laser light is more focused. To mitigate potential damage, Volvo recommended maintaining a safe distance while filming cars equipped with lidar and using lens filters or covers as additional protection measures.

Lidar is not isolated to Volvo's usage; it is gaining traction across the automotive sector. Tesla, which initially downplayed lidar's necessity, has now reportedly purchased over $2.1 million in lidar hardware from Luminar Technologies, affirming its importance even as it explores camera-only sensor systems. This proliferation of lidar technology in vehicles necessitates increased awareness around its impact on camera sensors.

In addition to lidar, lasers present at entertainment events also pose risks similar to those from lidar beams. Lasers can damage sensors when beams strike directly, as evidenced by another Reddit user whose Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra exhibited unusual lines on media captured during a laser-rich event. The International Laser Display Association has been vocal about the dangers of pointing cameras at lasers, advising on caution and potential protective measures to avoid damage.

Sources: TechSpot, The Drive, Reddit

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