ABSTRACT
Laser is another major invention of the 20th century after atomic energy, the computer, and the semiconductor, known as “the fastest knife,” “the most accurate ruler,” and “the brightest light.” LiDAR, light detection and ranging, is a radar system with laser as a carrier to detect the location, speed, and other characteristics of the target. It has become one of the most efficient and accurate means to acquire three-dimensional spatial information of targets. This chapter briefly introduces the origin, characteristics, classification, and development history of LiDAR, as well as the LiDAR system composition. The mainstream commercial LiDAR equipment and data processing software are presented. Several representative applications of LiDAR are briefly introduced, including topographic mapping, forest resource investigation, digital city, powerline inspection, crop monitoring, cultural heritage digitization, unmanned driving, transportation route planning, and mine monitoring, as well as polar ice caps, oceans, Moon, and Mars surface mapping.
