If you are uncertain which LiDAR sensor to pick for your project, follow this post to learn more about the differences between Ouster's three digital LiDAR sensors - the OS0, OS1 and OS2. I am also going to display some of the use cases for each individual sensor in this post.
Before we explore the differences, here are 5 key similarities of these sensors:
1) The latest L2X chip that is responsible for signal processing, emitting and detecting photons. It is also the first chip to feature dual return, meaning that it processes not only the strongest return on any pixel but also the second
strongest return.
2) Up to 128 channels for maximum resolution (= vertical resolution)
3) Horizontal resolution up to 2048
4) Extreme durability: Waterproof (IP68/IP69K), shock and vibration resistant, operable in temperatures of -40°C to +64°C
5) Upgradable firmware
Apart from these features all of the sensors have in common, it is important to note that the OS0 and OS1 sensors are physically identical (height, dimension and weight). The OS2 is bigger and heavier overall, yet still one of the most compact and lightest long-range lidar sensor in the market.
Now let's focus on the 2 main differences between these devices and see what makes them each stand out in a specific environment and application.
1) Vertical Field of view: The OS0 has the largest FoV at 90°, the OS1 comes second at 45° and the OS2 features the narrowest FoV at 22.5°.
2) Range (assuming 80% reflectivity): The OS0 can detect objects that are 50m away, the OS1 extends the range to 120m and the OS2 even doubles that amount, featuring 240m of range, still given 80% reflectivity.
As we can see, with an increasing FoV, the range is compensated. Another factor to take into consideration is angular resolution. Because all sensors have an equal amount of channels that are vertically aligned and the FoV differs, the point cloud includes more detail if the FoV is narrower, assuming that the object is located at the same distance from the sensor. To be concrete, angular resolution doubles if the FoV is halved.
Considering these factors, we can now investigate for which applications each sensor is best suited.
OS2: Due to its extremely large range, the OS2 is perfectly suited for recognizing objects in the distance. That can be especially helpful in automotive applications because potentially dangerous obstacles are captured sooner. Another use case where the OS2 shines is mapping drones because it allows them to fly higher while still perceiving the ground.
OS1: The OS1 delivers a good compromise between range and FoV, which makes it interesting for autonomous vehicles and many more use cases. For instance, the company Serve Robotics is using the OS1 LiDAR for its autonomous delivery vehicles.
OS0: The OS0 is best suited for applications where an equally distributed vision in all directions is needed. To give another example, Vecna Robotics is using these units for their autonomous warehouse vehicles where a tight environment doesn't require a lot of range. The OS0 would also be suited for quickly generating point clouds indoors.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment below!
For more information visit https://ouster.com/
All of these sensors are available in our online shop: https://general-laser.at/shop/lidar
