Sony has announced the AS-DT1, which they are claiming is the world’s smallest and lightest miniature precision LiDAR Depth Sensor. The AS-DT1 is ideal for applications where space and weight constraints are paramount, including drones, robotics, etc.
The AS-DT1 LiDAR Depth Sensor is the world’s smallest and lightest LiDAR Depth Sensor structure, measuring just 29mm x 29mm x 31mm (approximately 1.14 inch width x 1.14 inch height x 1.22 inch depth), excluding protrusions, and weighing only 50g (approximately 1.76 ounces). The AS-DT1 leverages miniaturization and optical lens technologies from Sony’s machine vision industrial cameras.
Key features
- 1.14 (W) x 1.14 (H) x 1.22 in (D)
- 50 g (1.1 oz)
- Utilizes dToF LiDAR technology1
- Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) sensor2
- Range distance of 40 m (131 ft) indoor, 20 m (65.6 ft) outdoor
- Lightweight aluminum alloy housing structure
- 2 USB-C ports
- Connector for external power, UART interface and trigger
The AS-DT1 utilizes ‘Direct Time of Flight (dToF)’ LiDAR technology, which delivers fast and accurate measurement, distance resolution, and measuring range. The proprietary dToF ranging module, equipped with a Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) sensor, utilizes multiple ranging points for distance measurement, and can accurately measure distances in three dimensions: length, width, and depth.
The AS-DT1 can measure distances to low-contrast subjects and objects with low reflectivity, which are more difficult to detect with other ranging methods. This enables accurate measurement of distances in diverse environments, such as retail stores, where various objects, including people and fixtures, are expected. In addition to its ability to accurately measure distances both indoors and outdoors, the sensor’s compact, lightweight design and rigid aluminum housing allow for integration into a wide range of devices, such as food service robots in restaurants, autonomous mobile robots in warehouses, and drones used for inspections and surveys.
High Measurement Accuracy and Distance Resolution
Sony’s proprietary dToF ranging module, equipped with a SPAD sensor, achieves highly accurate measurements and distance resolution. It can measure at various distances, for example, at 10 meters (approximately 32.8 feet) with a margin of ±5 cm (nearly 2 inches) both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, it is capable of accurately measuring distances to various objects that are difficult to detect with other ranging methods. This includes low-contrast subjects, objects with low reflectivity, and floating objects, making it suitable for integration into robots used in environments, such as stores and warehouses.
Long Measurement Range
The AS-DT1 is accurate, supporting long distances of 40 meters (approximately 131.23 feet) indoors and 20 meters (approximately 65.6 feet) outdoors under bright summer conditions (assuming 100,000 lux), which can be challenging when inspecting infrastructure such as bridges, highways, and dams.
Compact, Lightweight, and Robust Housing
By utilizing an aluminum alloy for the structure, it balances lightweight design and robustness. The compact housing makes it easy to integrate into various devices, such as autonomous mobile robots, with limited space for depth sensors, and drones, where weight can impact flight time and distance.
The AS-DT1 is expected to be available in Spring 2026.
