Low cost laser rangefinder evaluation

Abstract

Laser rangefinders are essential tools in indoor mobile robot navigation. Lately several low-cost models become available, enabling the use of this type of sensor in broader range of applications. This paper evaluates the properties of currently ( As the sensor is based on triangulation principle, the increase of errors with the measured distance was expected; the experiments proved these expectations. Furthermore, the increasing, but linear trend in absolute measurement error was observed. The influence of surface material and color was also evaluated. The measurements indicate that RPLidar A1M8 can serve as a useful alternative for more expensive types of laser rangefinders.