RBR50 company SICK, a leading developer of sensors, safety systems, machine vision and more, expanded its 2D LiDAR sensor lineup for localization and anti-collision applications with the compact TiM2xx product family. This is in response to new requirements on functionality, size, and price.

The TiM240 is the first variant in the TiM2xx LiDAR series and has an enclosure rating of IP65 for indoor use. The TiM240 scans a 240° area up to 10m away at speeds up to 15 times per second. This allows the user to cover a relatively large space (200m2) with one scanner and to quickly transmit any measurement changes to the controller via Ethernet. The tried-and-proven HDDM+ technology guarantees the stable and reliable output of measurement data. The low power consumption of 2.9 watts becomes a particular advantage when used in battery-operated vehicles.

At only 150g, the TiM240 is lightweight and takes up little space with its compact dimensions of 75.8mm x 79.7mm x 60mm (HxDxW). This enables it to be integrated into ever-shrinking autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and its weight does not require much consideration in the mechanical design. Other models in the TiM series include TiM1xx, TiM3xx, TiM5xx, and TiM7xx

Globally, the e-commerce sector continues to experience strong growth. This has led to an increase in demand for automation solutions to support the growing logistics infrastructure and the transport of goods and products. AMRs are handling more logistics tasks of varying kinds. Simultaneously, the latest AMR designs are becoming increasingly compact and streamlined. Accordingly, 2D LiDAR sensor solutions need to keep pace with these new types of applications in terms of functionality, size, and price.

In addition to industrial applications such as mobile automation, new application for 2D LiDAR sensors are cropping up. For example, in the field of new smart, interactive media such as virtual nature walls or games. The TIM2xx LiDAR scans the entire interactive surface and determines, for example, where a hand or the person is currently located. The data are processed, and a signal triggers a response that changes the image or opens an information window. The TiM240 is designed for these kinds of applications because it is small and delivers high-quality data for not much money.

In early 2020, SICK won an RBR50 Innovation Award for its SICK nanoScan3 2D safety sensor. The nanoScan3, which measures just 101 x 101 x 80 mm, has a field range of three meters with a scanning angle of 275-degrees. The small size of the nanoScan3 allows the sensor to be easily sited into locations other than open, fixed infrastructure. The device is particularly suited for integration into both fixed and mobile robotics systems.