How LiDAR-Enabled Robots Benefit The Defense, Aerospace, And Biotech Industries

By John Oncea, Editor

Adding LiDAR to robots can significantly improve their capabilities and performance across various applications by enhancing their perception and understanding of the surrounding environment.

What’s better than a flame-throwing robot dog that can shoot flames up to 30 feet? How about a LiDAR-guided flame-throwing robot dog that can shoot flames up to 30 feet?

Last Spring, Throwflame released what it says is the first-ever robot dog with a flamethrower attached. The Thermonator, as it’s called, is a quadruped coupled with an ARC Flamethrower capable of delivering on-demand fire anywhere.

Thermonator can assist in wildfire control and prevention, agricultural management, ecological conservation, snow and ice removal, and provide hours of entertainment. It has a 30-foot firing range, has a battery that can last for an hour, and is operated by a first-person view (FPV) controller, a concept that is increasingly gaining traction with the rise of drones.

It also comes equipped with LiDAR, allowing it to map its surroundings and navigate efficiently, deliver flames accurately, and aid in tasks such as wildfire control and agricultural management.

Now, you can argue whether the world really needs a LiDAR-guided flame-throwing robot dog that can shoot flames up to 30 feet, but for better or worse, Thermonator does serve as an example of how LiDAR and robotics are becoming increasingly intertwined.

A Brief History Of LiDAR And Robots

Some think of LiDAR as a new technology when in reality, it is more than 60 years old, developed soon after the first lasers were created in the 1960s.* LiDAR’s first time in the spotlight came in 1971 when NASA used the technology on the Apollo 15 mission to measure the surface of the moon.

Rapid advances in the development of LiDAR since then have resulted in accuracy down to a few millimeters, leading industries including defense, aerospace, automotive, communications, medicine, and many more to take advantage of the benefits it offers.

Pinpointing the very first robot to use LiDAR is difficult, but robots have been utilizing LiDAR technology for several decades, primarily in research and development settings with the goal of enhancing robot navigation and mapping capabilities.

According to Todd Neff, one of the first known occurrences of robotics research took place in 1985 when “Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute, (the now defunct) Martin Marietta Corporation, and an unnamed government agency each get an ERIM LiDAR, paid for by DARPA, for use on Autonomous Land Vehicle (ALV) program projects. At CMU, the LiDAR ends up on Red Whittaker-led Navlab 1, among other autonomous robots. Martin Marietta puts theirs on a 10-wheeled, 15,200-pound research vehicle.”

In the mid-1990s, Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms – a method used for AVs to build a map and localize vehicles in that map at the same time, according to MathWorks – started to emerge. This process is heavily reliant on LiDAR data.

Around the turn of the century, LiDAR began appearing in mobile robot research, demonstrating its effectiveness in creating detailed 3D models of the environment for navigation and obstacle avoidance. Then, in 2002, Carnegie Mellon’s Sebastian Thrun focused on SLAM software for robots like the Groundhog, which used LiDAR for mine mapping, highlighting the technology’s growing role in complex robotic tasks.

Robotics competitions like the DARPA Grand Challenges (2004 and 2005) further spurred the development and use of LiDAR in autonomous vehicle (AV) robotics. By the mid-2000s, LiDAR was increasingly recognized as a crucial sensor for enabling autonomous navigation and environmental perception in robots.

More recently, in 2017, “Whittaker’s Carnegie Mellon Field Robotics Center team starts work with the U.S. Department of Energy on robots to inspect the interiors of pipes during nuclear-plant cleanup,” reports Todd Neff.

Today, LiDAR is a prominent technology in various robotics applications, including AVs, mobile robots in logistics and manufacturing, and drones because of its ability to create detailed 3D maps and provide accurate distance measurements. LiDAR’s use and importance have grown steadily over the past few decades, making it a cornerstone technology in numerous robotics applications today.

* The origins of LiDAR can be traced back to 1917 when Einstein stimulated emission, the theoretical basis for laser light, according to Todd Neff.

How LiDAR Augments Robots

LiDAR is a foundational technology in modern robotics, empowering robots with precise spatial awareness and the ability to autonomously perceive, navigate, and interact with their environment, which is essential for safe and efficient operation across a growing range of industries.

LiDAR transforms robotics by providing robots with the ability to perceive and understand their environment in three dimensions. By emitting laser pulses and measuring their reflections, LiDAR generates highly accurate 3D maps, which are essential for autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, and precise localization. This technology has become a standard for mapping and localization in most indoor and outdoor robot products, thanks to its reliability and real-time data capabilities, according to AZoRobotics.

Recent advancements in LiDAR technology have significantly improved its resolution, range, and miniaturization, enabling robots to detect objects and obstacles with remarkable precision, even in complex or cluttered environments, adds Benjamin Qu, laser equipment digital media solutions and provider.

For example, innovative LiDAR systems can now resolve features as small as one millimeter from hundreds of meters away, which enhances a robot’s ability to safely navigate dynamic spaces. This level of detail is crucial for tasks such as simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), where robots must build and update maps while tracking their position in real time.

LiDAR’s performance is not limited by lighting conditions, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Robots equipped with LiDAR can reliably detect and avoid obstacles, adapt to changes in their surroundings, and plan optimal routes, which is vital for applications in warehouses, factories, urban environments, and even agriculture. Furthermore, LiDAR’s detailed 3D data supports object recognition and classification, allowing robots to identify, sort, or manipulate items as needed.

The integration of LiDAR with advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence is also enabling new applications, such as humanoid robots that can interact seamlessly with their environment and autonomous mobile robots that can operate safely alongside humans, the Robot Report writes. As solid-state and digital LiDAR sensors become more affordable and compact, their adoption across robotics is accelerating, driving innovation in sectors ranging from autonomous vehicles and industrial automation to service and agricultural robotics.

LiDAR is rapidly reshaping the landscape of robotics across defense, aerospace, and biotech industries. By providing precise 3D spatial data in real time, LiDAR sensors empower robots with advanced perception, navigation, and decision-making capabilities, unlocking new levels of performance and enabling innovative applications.

Transforming Battlefield Intelligence And Autonomy

In the defense sector, LiDAR has become a cornerstone technology for enhancing situational awareness, target acquisition, and autonomous operations. Modern militaries deploy LiDAR-equipped systems for 3D tactical mapping of battlefields, enabling precise terrain analysis even in dense urban environments or rugged landscapes. This high-resolution mapping capability allows forces to identify enemy positions, infrastructure, and natural obstacles, supporting both mission planning and real-time operations, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies writes.

LiDAR’s ability to generate detailed line-of-sight models is critical for optimizing the placement of observation posts, weapons platforms, and communication nodes. Its sensitivity to motion and high spatial resolution also make it ideal for target tracking and detection, outperforming traditional radar or sonar in many scenarios.

For instance, LiDAR is now integrated into autonomous ground vehicles and drones, enabling them to navigate complex terrains, avoid obstacles, and carry out reconnaissance with minimal human intervention, reducing risk to personnel in hazardous environments, writes Defense Advancement.

Naval and marine applications further highlight LiDAR’s versatility. Mounted on aircraft, ships, or uncrewed surface vessels, LiDAR supports mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare by mapping underwater threats and monitoring vast maritime areas. The technology’s rapid data acquisition and AI-powered processing enable automated feature extraction and object labeling, streamlining intelligence workflows and improving response times.

Globally, LiDAR adoption in defense is accelerating, with China, the United States, and European nations investing heavily in both hardware and AI-driven analytics. Chinese military platforms, for example, have begun integrating advanced LiDAR for autonomous vehicles and precision-strike capabilities, viewing it as a decisive advantage in “intelligentized warfare.” As the global LiDAR market is projected to exceed $2.8 billion by 2025, its strategic importance in defense continues to grow, according to Congress.Gov.

Enabling Autonomous Docking, Hazard Avoidance, And Planetary Exploration

Aerospace applications of LiDAR are equally transformative, spanning from Earth’s surface to deep space. One Of The Most Prominent Uses Is In Autonomous Rendezvous And Docking Of Spacecraft. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, for example, relies on a suite of LiDAR, cameras, and thermal sensors to execute fully automated dockings with the International Space Station. This system not only reduces astronaut workload but also increases mission safety and reliability, allowing for autonomous crew transfers and even emergency rescues without manual piloting, writes R&D World.

Beyond Earth orbit, LiDAR-equipped drones and landers are revolutionizing planetary exploration. These systems generate high-resolution 3D maps of extraterrestrial surfaces, identifying safe landing sites and mapping geological features with unprecedented detail, LidarTechPros.com writes. NASA and other agencies use LiDAR to study the mineral composition and structural integrity of planetary landscapes, facilitating scientific research and mission planning. The technology’s ability to autonomously scan and model terrain is critical for hazard detection, navigation, and the success of future robotic and crewed missions.

Recent breakthroughs in LiDAR imaging are pushing the boundaries even further. Chinese scientists have demonstrated synthetic aperture LiDAR systems capable of capturing millimeter-level details from over 100 kilometers away. Such advancements could enable detailed inspection of satellites, identification of micrometeorite damage, and even facial recognition from low Earth orbit, offering significant strategic advantages in both space monitoring and defense, Live Science writes. 

As LiDAR systems become more compact and efficient, their integration into satellites and aerial platforms is expected to expand, supporting applications from environmental monitoring to urban planning.

Advancing Surgical Precision, Laboratory Automation, And Healthcare Robotics

In the biotech industry, LiDAR is driving a new wave of innovation in medical robotics, laboratory automation, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Surgical robots equipped with LiDAR provide real-time 3D visualization of the operative field, enhancing the precision and safety of minimally invasive procedures. Surgeons can navigate complex anatomical structures with greater confidence, reducing the risk of error and improving patient outcomes.

Laboratory automation is another area where LiDAR excels. Robots use LiDAR to guide the handling and analysis of samples, ensuring accurate positioning and reducing the potential for human error. The technology’s ability to generate precise spatial data streamlines workflows, increases throughput, and supports the reproducibility of experimental results.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, LiDAR monitors and controls robotic systems involved in production processes, ensuring consistent quality and compliance with regulatory standards. Its real-time feedback enables rapid adjustments and minimizes waste, contributing to more efficient and reliable drug manufacturing.

LiDAR’s impact extends into healthcare logistics as well. Autonomous robots equipped with LiDAR can navigate hospital corridors, delivering medications and supplies directly to patients or staff. This not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces the workload of medical personnel, allowing them to focus on patient care.

As LiDAR technology continues to advance, driven by improvements in resolution, miniaturization, and AI integration, its role in biotech is poised to grow. The result is a new generation of medical and laboratory robots that are safer, more autonomous, and capable of performing increasingly complex tasks.

Across defense, aerospace, and biotech, LiDAR is redefining what robots can perceive and achieve. Its ability to deliver detailed, real-time 3D data is unlocking new applications, improving performance, and setting the stage for the next era of intelligent automation.