Pololu LiDAR Digital Distance Sensor

This compact lidar-based distance sensor detects the presence of objects from as close as 10 cm (3.9″) up to 200 cm (78.7″). It features a single digital output that goes LOW when an object is detected and remains HIGH when no object is present. With an input voltage range of 3.0 V to 5.5 V and a 0.1″ pin spacing, this sensor is breadboard-friendly and easy to integrate into standard perfboard-based projects.

Please note that this sensor does not measure exact distance—it only indicates whether an object is present within its configured detection range and line of sight. The sensor can detect objects as close as 5 mm from its front face (depending on model).

Unlike simpler reflective IR sensors that rely on the intensity of reflected light, this module uses a short-range lidar system that precisely measures how long it takes for infrared, eye-safe laser pulses to reflect off the nearest object. This results in consistent performance regardless of object reflectivity or ambient lighting (though the range may be slightly reduced with extremely low-reflectivity targets).

Technical Specifications

• Manufacturer: Pololu
• Operating Voltage: 3.0 – 5.5 V
• Current Consumption: 30 mA (active), 0.4 mA (disabled)
• Maximum Detection Distance: 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm, 100 cm, 200 cm
• Minimum Detection Distance:
  • 5 mm (for 5–15 cm models)
  • 1 mm (for 25–200 cm models)
• Minimum Update Rate:
  • 5 cm max range: 145 Hz
  • 10 cm max range: 115 Hz
  • 15 cm max range: 95 Hz
  • 25–100 cm max range: 100 Hz
  • 200 cm max range: 30 Hz
• Dimensions: 0.85″ × 0.35″ × 0.122″ (21.6 × 8.9 × 3.1 mm)
• Weight: 0.4 g