Sony Electronics Announces the World's Smallest and Lightest[1] Miniature Precision LiDAR Depth Sensor

AS-DT1 'Direct Time of Flight' LiDAR Depth Sensor Provides Precision Measurement Accuracy, Distance Resolution, and Measuring Range

SAN DIEGO, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Electronics Inc. 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 technology², which delivers fast and accurate measurement, distance resolution³, and measuring range. The proprietary dToF ranging module, equipped with a Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) sensor⁴,  utilizes multiple ranging points for distance measurement, and can accurately measure distances in three dimensions: length, width, and depth.

The AS-DT1 can 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 in diverse 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.⁵ 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 accurate supporting 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.  A prototype will first be exhibited in the United States at Xponential in Houston, May 20-22, 2025. To learn more about the AS-DT1, please visit https://pro.sony/ue_US/products/lidar/as-dt1.

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

About Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Group Corporation, one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming, robotics and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading 4K and 8K Ultra HD TVs. Visit https://www.sony.com/news for more information.

¹ As a 3D LiDAR with a measurement range of 10m or more under sunny outdoor conditions (excluding modules), according to Sony research, as of April 2025.
² A ranging method that calculates distance by measuring the time it takes for light emitted toward a subject to reflect and return.
³ The ability to recognize minute differences in distance between multiple objects.
⁴ An electronic device (diode) that achieves high sensitivity by utilizing 'avalanche multiplication,' which amplifies electrons like an avalanche from a single incident photon
⁵ The figures are provisional and may differ from the final specifications.

SOURCE SONY ELECTRONICS