Vehicle control via laser – in all weather and light conditions 

The system scans and measures simultaneously on four parallel levels. This is necessary, for example, to compensate for the pitching motion of a vehicle or detect slopes. In addition, the LD-MRS detects up to three consecutive reflections per measurement and per level at ranges of up to 200 m. This allows obstacles, as well as path markers, to be detected in good time and taken into account in the vehicle control system. The LD-MRS is also characterised by its robustness in all weathers. It operates dependably in all weather and light conditions, i.e. in snow, rain, dust or darkness.

Multi-layer:
If there were only one measurement level, the pitching motion of the vehicle could cause the relevant object to be lost to the field of vision. The LD-MRS, on the other hand, operates with four vertically arranged measurement lines, parallel to one another, that are emitted simultaneously. Distance measurements are carried out independently for each measurement line, whereby the aperture angle is 3.2°.

This permits full compensation of any pitching movements of the vehicle caused, for example, by uneven surfaces or dynamic driving manoeuvres such as braking or accelerating. The four measurement levels also allow differentiation between obstacles and slopes so that transport systems only stop when faced with relevant objects.

Multi-echo:
Rain, snow and spray can affect a sensor’s measurements and thus considerably impair the reliability of the entire system. The new generation of SICK Outdoor laser scanners, however, is designed in such a way that it operates highly accurately and dependably even under poor weather conditions. This was optimally achieved using revolutionary multi-echo technology. Normally, each emitted laser beam results in the reception of one reflective echo from an object – which could be a raindrop or an obstacle. Object detection is considerably enhanced and refined by increasing the number of echoes to up to three per emitted laser shot.

Thanks to its excellent outdoor capabilities, the LD-MRS is particularly suitable for use in ports, for security, and on commercial vehicles (e.g. agricultural machines and cleaning vehicles). The LD-MRS thus supplements SICK’s well-known and proven Outdoor family of products.

What makes the LD-MRS so special?

• The first SICK laser scanner to scan its surroundings on several measurement levels simultaneously. (Compensation of pitching movements: differentiation between measurements on an uneven surface and measurements of obstacles). Increased measurement redundancy
• The SICK laser scanner with the largest temperature range (-40°…+70°C)
• One of SICK’s smallest laser scanners with a long measurement range
• Particularly reliable, even under harsh environmental conditions (poor weather, dust, etc.)

 Areas of use:

• Mining (automation, protection of large dumper trucks)
• Prevention of collisions between robots (one of the lightest laser scanners, long range)
• Agriculture: automation of harvesting processes
• Shipping: support during docking and prevention of collisions when passing through locks