iPhone LiDAR sensors offer a cost-effective way to map small geological features
In short: Researchers testing the LiDAR sensors in the iPhone 12 Pro and iPad Pro found they can create highly accurate 3D models of landscapes. By testing the technology on a coastal cliff in Denmark, the study observed that these mobile devices can produce high-resolution models of small objects with an absolute accuracy of approximately one centimeter.
The study compared the mobile LiDAR data to established Structure from Motion Multi-View Stereo techniques. While the sensors are limited in range, they successfully compiled a 3D model of a coastal cliff measuring up to 130 by 15 by 10 meters with an accuracy of about 10 centimeters. This suggests these devices could serve as accessible alternatives for geoscience applications and teaching, though their range remains a constraint.
Why it matters: Smartphone LiDAR technology provides a low-cost, highly accurate alternative for mapping small-scale geological features.
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Sources
- Source: Research: Luetzenburg et al. (2021). Evaluation of the Apple iPhone 12 Pro LiDAR for an Application in Geosciences. Scientific Reports. · cc-by
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