Industry-first multi-pattern 3D LiDAR unveiled

Orbbec unveiled the Pulsar ME450 at the World Robot Conference 2025, the industry's first dToF 3D LiDAR employing a combination of a MEMS mirror and a motor to deliver configurable scanning patterns and adjustable vertical field of view. 

Under the 'Flex to Flow' theme, this breakthrough sensor allows robotics applications to switch scanning modes without swapping devices, addressing diverse 3D perception requirements across multiple scenarios. 

The device transforms traditional single-mode LiDAR design by enabling seamless switching between non-repetitive scanning, repetitive scanning (non-dense), and dense repetitive scanning. Combined with adjustable vertical field of view and rotation speeds, it adapts to various robotic scenarios without the need for multiple dedicated devices.  

This adaptable design aligns with the evolving demands of robotics: dynamic obstacle avoidance demands speed and real-time response, while mapping applications need dense point clouds for detailed reconstruction. The device excels across various applications, including smart forklifts, logistics robots, lawn mowers, and surveying equipment, through adaptive pattern switching. 

The device's ability to switch between multiple scanning patterns on the fly allows a single sensor to handle both navigation and fine-grained 3D reconstruction tasks. This decreases system complexity, simplifies integration, and lowers total cost of ownership, without compromising on performance or accuracy. 

The system produces millimetre-level precision with high-fidelity 3D reconstruction capabilities, while its advanced reflectivity detection maintains stable performance across diverse materials and challenging interference conditions. 

"The Pulsar ME450 represents the industry's first multi-pattern LiDAR combining high-precision MEMS pitch scanning with motorised azimuth control," said Guo Wei, head of Orbbec's LiDAR R&D team. "By overcoming single-mode limitations, we're delivering unprecedented flexibility and reliability for robotic environmental perception." 

The Pulsar ME450 launch represents the company's continued expansion in robotics perception. Building upon its comprehensive technology portfolio, spanning stereo vision, structured light, iToF, dToF, and LiDAR, the company strengthens its robotics sensing portfolio to meet increasingly complex application demands.