If you’re looking for a LiDAR app for your Android device, you may find yourself out of luck. While LiDAR technology has been around for decades, it’s only recently that it’s become more mainstream.
With the release of the iPhone 12 Pro and iPad Pro in 2020, LiDAR technology has become more popular and accessible to the average consumer. However, Android users may be wondering if there is a LiDAR app available for their devices.
What is LiDAR?
LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. It’s a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system— generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.
Why would someone want a LiDAR app?
LiDAR technology has several applications, from agriculture to self-driving cars. For consumers, LiDAR can be useful for creating 3D models or augmented reality experiences. For example, the iPhone 12 Pro uses LiDAR technology to improve its camera’s depth sensing capabilities and enable features like Night mode portraits and AR experiences.
Is there a LiDAR app for Android?
Unfortunately, at this time there is no standalone LiDAR app available for Android devices. The main reason for this is that most Android devices do not have built-in LiDAR sensors like the iPhone 12 Pro and iPad Pro do. While some Android devices may have similar depth-sensing capabilities using other technologies such as Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors or stereo cameras, these are not true LiDAR sensors.
Alternatives to a standalone LiDAR app
If you’re an Android user looking to create 3D models or augmented reality experiences, there are still options available to you. Many 3D modeling and AR apps exist on the Google Play Store that do not require LiDAR sensors. Some popular options include:
- Sketchfab: A platform for sharing and discovering 3D models.
- Qlone: An app that allows you to scan objects and create 3D models.
- Google Lens: An app that uses image recognition technology to provide information about objects in the real world.
While these apps may not have the precise depth sensing capabilities of LiDAR technology, they are still useful tools for creating 3D models and augmented reality experiences.
The future of LiDAR on Android devices
As LiDAR technology becomes more popular, it’s possible that we may see LiDAR sensors become more common on Android devices as well. In fact, some newer Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra already have ToF sensors that can be used for depth sensing. However, whether or not true LiDAR sensors will become more widely available on Android devices remains to be seen.
Conclusion
While there is currently no standalone LiDAR app available for Android devices, there are still plenty of options available for creating 3D models and augmented reality experiences. As LiDAR technology becomes more popular, it’s possible that we may see more Android devices with built-in LiDAR sensors in the future. In the meantime, Android users can still enjoy many of the benefits of LiDAR technology using other depth-sensing technologies and third-party apps.