Evaluating LiDAR Technology in iPhone Mobiles for 2D Mapping Applications

Authors

Nasr Mohammady Saba, October 6 UniversityFollow
Salem Salama Saleh, Giza Engineering Institute, EgyptFollow

Abstract

Abstract- LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology has revolutionized mapping applications, offering enhanced precision and accuracy in spatial data collection. The integration of LiDAR technology in the latest iPhone models, beginning with the iPhone 12 Pro, has introduced new capabilities for 2D data measurement and plan creation directly on the mobile device. The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max models support LiDAR techniques within their mobile phone cameras, enhancing the performance of various applications such as Measurements and Photos. LiDAR operates by emitting pulsed light waves into the surrounding space, which bounce off nearby objects and return to the sensor, enabling the phone to calculate the distance traveled by each pulse and map the surrounding features. In this investigation, the LiDAR feature in the iPhone 12 Pro Max was utilized to measure the 2D floor plan of a small building. Interior scanning was conducted by moving the iPhone around the space approximately 3 to 6 meters away from the walls. The same building was surveyed again using a precise Leica total station instrument to obtain the coordinates of the partition corners. The iPhone LiDAR scanner requires only 4 minutes compared to the 2-hour total station survey mission time. The point cloud data from the iPhone LiDAR scan was exported and processed to generate a 2D floor plan, which was subsequently compared to the plan derived from the total station measurements. The comparison revealed that the iPhone LiDAR provided satisfactory horizontal measurements, displaying root mean square errors of ± 0.08 meters for side lengths and ± 0.28 square meters for areas. Minor differences were observed in the measured angles, with a root mean square error of ± 2.02 degrees. Overall, the researchers concluded that the iPhone LiDAR technology can provide valuable measurements, especially for a smaller-scale projects, with ease, cost-effectiveness, and rapidity

Recommended Citation

Saba, Nasr Mohammady and Saleh, Salem Salama (2024) "Evaluating LiDAR Technology in iPhone Mobiles for 2D Mapping Applications," Journal of Engineering Research: Vol. 8: Iss. 6, Article 14.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/erjeng/vol8/iss6/14