Seeed Studio RPLiDAR A3M1 360 Degree Laser Scanner Kit

The RPLIDAR A3M1 is the next-generation low-cost 360-degree 2D laser scanner (LIDAR) solution developed by SLAMTEC. It can take up to 16000 samples of laser ranging per second with high rotation speed. And equipped with SLAMTEC patented OPTMAG technology, it breaks the life limitation of the traditional LIDAR system so as to work stably for a long time.

The system can perform 2D 360-degree scan within a 25-meter range. The generated 2D point cloud data can be used in mapping, localization, and object/environment modeling.

Compared with RPLIDARs in other series, RPLIDAR A3M1 has a more stable performance when detecting objects in long-distance, objects in white or black alternatively, and objects under direct sunlight, which is ideal for map building in the outdoor environment within a 25-meter ranging radius. Therefore, it can be widely applied in many consumer-oriented business scenarios. RPLIDRA A3M1 supports working under two modes alternatively: enhanced mode and outdoor mode. In the enhanced mode, it works with the maximum ranging radius and sampling rate to realize an optimistic mapping performance in indoor environments. While in the outdoor mode, RPLIDAR A3M1 works with a more reliable resistance to daylight interference, which prevents it from “blind” in the outdoor environment.

The typical scanning frequency of RPLIDAR A3M1 is 10Hz(600rpm), and the frequency can be freely adjusted within the 5-20Hz range according to the specific requirements. With the 10Hz scanning frequency, the sampling rate is 16kHz and the angular resolution is 0.225°.

Due to the improvements in SLAMTEC hardware operating performance and related algorithms, RPLIDAR A3M1 works well in all kinds of indoor environments and outdoor environments with direct sunlight. Meanwhile, before leaving the factory, every RPLIDAR A3M1 has passed strict testing to ensure the laser output power meets the eye-safety standard of IEC-60825 Class 1.

Application Scenarios

￭ General robot navigation and localization

￭ Environment scanning and 3D re-modeling

￭ Service robots or industrial robots working for long hours

￭ Home service/cleaning robot navigation

￭ localization General simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM)

￭ Smart toy’s localization and obstacle avoidance

Features

￭ Ranging 16000 Times per Second

The sample rate of LIDAR directly decides whether the robot can build a map quickly and accurately. RPLIDAR A3 improves the internal optical design and algorithm system to make the sample rate up to 16000 times, which is much better than most competitors.

￭ 25 Meters Range Radius

With algorithm optimization, the ranging radius of RPLIDAR A3 has been increased to 25 meters, which means more environment outline information is to be collected

￭ Indoor and Outdoor Availability

PLIDRA A3 supports working under two modes alternatively: enhanced mode and outdoor mode. In enhanced mode, RPLIDAR A3 works with the maximum ranging radius and sampling rate to realize an optimistic mapping performance in indoor environments. While in outdoor mode, RPLIDAR A3 works with a more reliable resistance to daylight interference. It keeps its stable performance when detecting white and black objects.

￭ 360 Degree Omnidirectional Laser Range Scanning

The ranging core of RPLIDAR A3 runs clockwise to perform a 360-degree omnidirectional laser range scanning for its surrounding environment and then generate an outline map for the environment.

￭ 4 Centimeters Ultra-thin

With carefully designed parts and an internal mechanical system, the RPLIDAR A3 keeps its exceptional performance within its 4-cm thick compact size. It is ideal for all kinds of service robots.

￭ Brushless Motor, Low Noise, New Non-contact Drive

Compared with the traditional belt drive mode, RPLIDAR A3 uses the self-designed brushless motor to reduce mechanical friction in running. Therefore, the RPLIDAR A3 can run smoothly without any noise.

￭ OPTMAG Original Design, 5 Years Ultra-long Life

Most traditional non-solid LIDARs use slip ring to transfer power and data information, however, they only have thousands of hours of life due to mechanical wearing out. SLAMTEC has integrated wireless power and optical communication technology to self-design the OPTMAG technology, which breaks down the life limitation of the traditional LIDAR system. It fixes the electrical connection failure caused by the physical wearing out so as to prolong the life to 5 years and even more.

￭ Laser Safety Standard Class 1

The RPLIDAR A3 system adopts the low-power infrared laser light as its light source, and drives it by using a modulated pulse. The laser emits light in a very short time frame which can ensure its safety to humans and pets. It has already reached the Class 1 Safety Standard.