2D vs 3D LiDAR

Today, I’d like to talk about why having a 3D LiDAR sensor is such an important feature for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)—partly to clarify my own thoughts, and partly to be better prepared the next time the topic comes up. While it’s true that 3D LiDAR is more expensive than its 2D counterpart, the real challenge lies not in the cost, but in the computational load it places on the system.

Unlike 2D LiDAR, which scans in a single plane, 3D LiDAR collects a much larger volume of spatial data in real time. This data allows the robot to perceive its environment in full three-dimensional detail, which is critical in dynamic or cluttered spaces. But this also means the robot must process and interpret that data very quickly in order to adjust its path and avoid obstacles without delay.

This is where the challenge comes in. If the robot’s onboard computing system isn’t fast or efficient enough to keep up, its navigation speed and responsiveness will suffer. In other words, even if the robot is physically capable of moving fast, its brain might slow it down.

This is one of the key reasons why many AMR companies still stick to 2D LiDAR—it’s lighter on processing, simpler to implement, and often “good enough” in more predictable environments. But as robots are expected to navigate more complex, dynamic spaces with greater autonomy, 3D LiDAR will likely become less of a luxury and more of a necessity.