Accuracy and Repeatability of Mobile Phone LiDAR Capture 2023-01-0614

Apple’s mobile phone LiDAR capabilities were previously evaluated to obtain geometry from multiple exemplar vehicles, but results were inconsistent and less accurate than traditional ground-based LiDAR (SAE Technical Paper 2022-01-0832. Miller, Hashemian, Gillihan, Helms). This paper builds upon existing research by utilizing the newest version of the mobile LiDAR hardware and software previously studied, as well as evaluating additional objects of varying sizes and a newly released software not yet studied. To better explore the accuracy achievable with Apple mobile phone LiDAR, multiple objects with varied surface textures, colors, and sizes were scanned. These objects included exemplar passenger vehicles (including a motorcycle), a fuel tank, and a spare tire mounted on a chrome wheel. To test the repeatability of the presented methodologies, four participants scanned each object multiple times and created three individual data sets per software. The accuracy for each data set was then evaluated against each other and established terrestrial LiDAR methods, including FARO scanners, and the repeatability and accuracy of presented methodologies reported. The authors found that the Recon-3D software presented significant improvements when compared to other software and believe the accident reconstruction community, and other forensic disciplines, will find utility in the accessibility, portability, and accuracy of this methodology.