How does navigation work for robot vacuums that use laser-based mapping (LiDAR)? What are the advantages and limitations of these systems? For example, how does their performance get affected in dark rooms?
How does laser mapping work in robot vacuums?
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The robot vacuum uses LiDAR to bounce laser signals off the room's walls, creating a direct map of ceiling height. Since it relies on light, it doesn’t need extra lighting, but it can get stuck on fully black or non-reflective surfaces. Mine (Xiaomi Mi Home) does a great job cleaning rooms, though it sometimes gets stuck on the edges of curtains in front of windows.
Compared to infrared obstacle avoidance, LiDAR offers much higher precision. The maps it generates are pixel-level, capable of accurately distinguishing the boundaries between carpets and tiles. However, LiDAR can "go blind" in strong light or when faced with mirror-like reflections, though it performs more stably at night.