If you’ve ever thought about 3D mapping environments in your home, Intel’s new product is the perfect solution. The company returns to its RealSence range, adding a compact camera equipped with a LiDAR and an RGB optical sensor to map the world around it.
The device, called “Intel RealSense LiDAR Camera L515”, stands out for its small size and low price and is capable of detecting, collecting, processing, and exchanging information with the user. Intel says its RealSense L515 is ‘the world’s smallest high‑resolution LiDAR depth camera.’
The device measures only 61 x 26 mm and weighs 100 grams. Despite its compact size, the RealSense Lidar L515 comes equipped with a 1920 × 1080/30fps RGB sensor, a 1024 × 768/30fps depth sensor. It also incorporates a chip for vision processing and noise management, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer.
Intel has developed its own mirror for the microelectromechanical system (MEMS) that allows the laser to scan the scene but with reduced power. It consumes less than 3.5 watts, though Intel says, the L515 can still boast a range between 0.25 and 9 meters. The margin of error is thus 2.5 mm at a 1-meter distance and 15.5 mm at 9 meters.
Using the sensors, the camera is capable of scanning up to 23 million deaths per second. An exposure time of less than 100 ns also ensures clearer, blur-free images, according to the manufacturer.
Besides, the product comes with a USB Type-C connection. Intel RealSense L515 also has significant software support. It uses the same RealSense SDK 2.0 from other more advanced RealSense cameras in an open-source development compatible with Windows, Linux, Android, and macOS, on multiple platforms, including Unity, Unreal, Python, and others.
Intel points out the logistics segments as one of the preferred uses, automatically tracking the inventory and making an accurate volumetric measurement of the products. Other applications could include 3D scanning, retail, medical, and robotic care. Intel says it is also small and economical enough to be mounted on handheld devices for mobile use.
The Intel RealSense Lidar L515 is available to pre-order for $349 with the shipping scheduled at the end of April.
