Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or Drone is a kind of pilotless aircrafts getting command of  wireless remote control. UAVs have a wide range of uses, low cost, good cost-effectiveness ratio, no risk of casualties, strong survivability, good maneuverability and ease of use. They play an extremely important role in modern warfare and have broad prospects in civilian fields.

   As we all know, a drone can be working well only when the unmannedaerial vehicle system cooperates well. The drone system mainly includes the aircraft body, flight control system, data link system, launch recovery system, and power supply system. The flight control system, also known as the flight management and control system, is equivalent to the "heart" part of the UAV system, and has an important impact on the stability of the UAV, reliability of data transmission, accuracy, real-time performance, etc. It plays a decisive role in good flight performance.

   Actually, the flight control system generally contains a lot of sensors, speed sensors, angular rate sensors, altitude sensors, pressure, optical flow, and so on. The drone is stabilized by sensors and PID adjustment, and the drone's attitude is changed by connecting the ESC to control the speed of the motor.
   That is to say, we cannot attach too much significance to the sensor as the “Eye” of UAVs. So that is the point, my friends are adding a LiDAR onto the drone besides the camera to optimize the drone performance. Like the picture below.

   Basically, we have a simple test to make it help hold the altitude and fly follow the topography. As the gif showing below. The LiDAR we use is from LiDAR TFmini, shown as the picture. Different LiDARs have different ways to connect drones, but thanks to the kind tech support, we got method to connect LiDAR with pixhawk. If you are interested in the method, you can e-mail me at bw@benewake.com.

Dude , could you tell me about  using this on fixed wings.

It could be used for altitude measurement. Helps in Landing and take off.

Yes, moreover, I think it can be used for obstacle avoidance and self-guidance. What do you think?

That sounds interesting, I will have a try on fixed wing plane and test the horizontal flight. If you wanna know more   details, you can try to contact at bw@benewake.com, there is kind tech support.

  In order to meet the user's requirement in harsh conditions, we newly added IP65 level waterproof shell to TFmini! In addition, the switching value function is also added. First, let's take a look at the changes in appearance


Left one is the update, pretty cool. Wow!
If interested, please contact bw@benewake.com
Those who don't know TFmini before can get familiar with product through the following introduction


TFmini Product Introduction
TFmini is a milestone for Benewake to promote the process of low cost LiDAR.
With its unique optical, structural, and electronic designs, the product possesses 3 major advantages: low cost, tiny volume and low power consumption. The built-in algorithm adapted to indoor and outdoor environments can guarantee an excellent ranging performance at a low cost and in a tiny volume, which highly expands the application fields and scenarios of LiDAR and lays a solid foundation for future “eyes” in the smart era.


For more information, please visit our website at http://www.benewake.com/tfmini.html
If interested, please contact bw@benewake.com
The highlights of TFmini updating
1. Protective shell
2. Switching value
1. Protective shell
In order to meet TFmini's requirement in some harsh environments, we have launched protective accessory that allow the TFmini to meet IP65 protection level, while only increasing a little volume.


2. Switching value
We update the firmware so that TFmini can output switching value. Current functions are:
① The standard UART communication can be switched to the I/O push-pull output via a serial command, and it can also be switched back through the command to achieve one-touch switching.
② The distance threshold value of switching can be changed via the serial command to increase the flexibility of uses;
③ Default output states: if there are obstacles (range value within the certain distance), TFmini output high level of 3.3V; if no obstacle or out of range (ranging distance outside the certain distance), TFmini output low level of 0V. The the output level can be changed according to requirements.
Coming soon: Wide power supply voltage of 5-28V; upgrade type TFmini which meets IP65 protection level without customized protective shell; output switching value signal without firmware update requirement and switching value output high level up to 24V. Welcome to contact us!
Any questions, feel free to contact us via bw@benewake.com