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Best Hokuyo LiDAR unit

asked 2014-07-28 21:59:30 -0600

anonymous user

Anonymous

updated 2014-07-29 16:17:18 -0600

Hi All,

I am looking into buying a Hokuyo LiDAR unit, but thought i would check with the community about what sensors are compatible with ROS and which have had issues.

Many of their sensors are found here: link

I am quite interested in the UST-05LN as it is cheap, IP65 and USB. Has anyone used this with ROS?

My application is outdoors in a forested environment in which i don't require more than 10 meters of depth.

Cheers.

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How big of a space will you be working in, and will it be indoors or outdoors? My URG-04LX-UG01 works well in my apartment, but the minimum range means that it doesn't always see the walls in large rooms, and it needs a sunshade to operate reliably outdoors.

ahendrix gravatar image ahendrix  ( 2014-07-28 22:23:03 -0600 )edit

@ahendrix apologies i should have added my application. I am working in a forested environment (outdoors) where i don;t require more than 10 meters of data.

anonymous userAnonymous ( 2014-07-29 16:18:55 -0600 )edit

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answered 2014-07-31 18:17:08 -0600

anonymous user

Anonymous

Thanks for the advice on such an open ended questions. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so specific to use a Hokuyo unit, but they do seem to be more available than SICK.

Some outcomes:

  • Hokuyo only have have three outdoor sensors: UTM-30LX, UTM-30LX-EW, UXM-30LX-EW.
  • SCIP2.2 and earlier range finders are well supported with URG
  • Hokuyo is well supported in ROS and tools on their site.
  • An evaluation of the benefits of Multi-Echo needs to be performed. Some results are shown here
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answered 2014-07-29 02:28:13 -0600

updated 2014-07-31 07:19:33 -0600

The UST series is pretty new, so there are not many people who have used it yet. It is used on the UBR-1 however and @fergs already reported using the 20m version without problems. It thus appears these LIDARs work with the urg_node driver. I´d recommend using at least the 10m version (it´s only a little more expensive than the 5m version), as this will likely be beneficial as soon as you want to use the system in more open spaces.

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UST-05LN documentation lists: Avoid direct sunlight. I could not find this remark for the larger versions (although it might be a good idea to check that). For outdoors use I would not recommend this scanner. We had major problems with the URG-05LX in sunlight (which you might still get in a forest)

dornhege gravatar image dornhege  ( 2014-07-31 08:47:50 -0600 )edit
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answered 2014-07-31 11:41:38 -0600

pwong gravatar image

Although you said you were looking for a Hokuyo lidar, I would go with the Sick TiM551. It does both USB and Ethernet, the device is rated for outdoors(IP67). The package to run the lidar is also really well done: urdf/transforms included, support for both usb/ethernet, range limiting, etc...

http://wiki.ros.org/sick_tim3xx

I've used the Hokuyo utm-30lx/ew and also the Sick lms111/tim551. IMO, I've had a better experience using the sick lidars.

In my search for a lidar, the factor which made the price gap was needing one which works outdoors. So I'm unsure if you can find a "cheap" outdoor lidar. And of course, the price also depends on who you buy from. Last note about price. If you want to use the ethernet cable, it is also rated IP67 so it would cost more than your average ethernet cable.

Best of luck!

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Asked: 2014-07-28 21:59:30 -0600

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Last updated: Jul 31 '14