Sony Electronics Announces the World’s Smallest and Lightest Miniature Precision LiDAR Depth Sensor

WEYBRIDGE, UK – April 10, 2025 – Sony Image sensing Solutions is announcing commercialization of the AS-DT1 LiDAR Depth Sensor.  The AS-DT1, is the world’s smallest and lightest LiDAR Depth Sensor structure measuring just 29mm x 29mm x 31mm (approximately 1.14 inch width x 1.14 inch height x 1.22 inch depth), excluding protrusions, and weighing only 50g (approximately 1.76 ounces).  The AS-DT1 leverages miniaturization and optical lens technologies from Sony’s machine vision industrial cameras making it ideal for applications where space, and weight constraints are paramount including, drones, robotics, and more.

The AS-DT1 utilizes 'Direct Time of Flight (dToF)' LiDAR technology[1], which delivers extremely fast and accurate measurement, distance resolution[2], and measuring range. The proprietary dToF ranging module equipped with a Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) sensor[3],  utilizes multiple ranging points for distance measurement, and can accurately measure distances in three dimensions: length, width, and depth.

The AS-DT1 can even measure distances to low-contrast subjects and objects with low reflectivity, which are more difficult to detect with other ranging methods. This enables accurate measurement of distances even in environments such as retail stores, where various objects, including people and fixtures, are expected. In addition to its ability to accurately measure distances both indoors and outdoors, the sensor's compact, lightweight design and rigid aluminum housing allow for integration into a wide range of devices, such as food service  robots in restaurants, autonomous mobile robots in warehouses, and drones used for inspections and surveys.

High Measurement Accuracy and Distance Resolution

Sony’s proprietary dToF ranging module, equipped with a SPAD sensor, achieves highly accurate measurements and distance resolution4. It can measure at various distances, for example at 10 meters (approximately 32.8 feet) with a margin of ±5 cm (nearly 2 inches) both indoors and outdoors.[4] Additionally, it is capable of accurately measuring distances to various objects that are difficult to detect with other ranging methods. This includes low-contrast subjects, objects with low reflectivity, and floating objects, making it suitable for integration into robots used in environments such as stores and warehouses.

Long Measurement Range

The AS-DT1 is highly accurate even at  long distances of 40 meters (approximately 131.23 feet) indoors and 20 meters (approximately 65.6 feet)  outdoors under bright summer conditions (assuming 100,000 lux), which can be challenging when inspecting  infrastructure such as bridges, highways, and dams5.

Compact, Lightweight, and Robust Housing

By utilizing an aluminum alloy for the structure, it balances lightweight design and robustness. The compact housing makes it easy to integrate into various devices, such as autonomous mobile robots with limited space for depth sensors and drones where weight can impact flight time and distance.

The AS-DT1 is expected to be available in Spring 2026.  It will first be exhibited in Germany at automatica 2025 in München, June 24-27, 2025 (Sony booth: Hall B4 106).  To learn more about the AS-DT1, please go to https://image-sensing-solutions.eu/AS-DT1_feature.html 

*The specifications described in this press release are current as of the date of announcement and may differ from the final specifications.

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About Sony Image Sensing Solutions

Sony Europe’s Image Sensing Solutions as division of Sony Europe B.V designs, develops and manufactures an in-depth range of component cameras and image sensing products that you can depend upon, even in the most demanding applications. Industry leading products include 4K & Full High Definition cameras; standard definition colour and monochrome video cameras for analogue and digital (USB3.0, GigE 2.0 & CameraLink) vision systems and the latest Global Shutter CMOS cameras, all of which satisfy numerous market sectors and applications.  Visit https://www.image-sensing-solutions.eu for more information.