Apple IPhone 13 Pro LiDAR Accuracy Assessment for Engineering Applications

Abstract

3D modelling has become a favoured way of analyzing 3D data, where users can collect more data with high accuracies in less time than other surveying methods. Technologies capable of providing 3D data such as Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS) are often expensive; thus, encouraging users to seek affordable alternatives while achieving their desired accuracies. Today, mobile phones and tablets are now becoming more capable of 3D modelling, and the most recent iPhone 12/13 Pro and iPad Pro now provide an integrated LiDAR sensor. However, with no known geometric accuracies stated from Apple, curiosity towards its modelling capabilities surfaced. In this project, an accuracy assessment using an iPhone 13 Pro was performed to test for its relative (geometric precision of the device itself) and absolute (concerning surveyed control) accuracies using Modelar’s scanning application. Modelar Technologies is a software development firm whose first product is Modelar, a real-time 3D mapping package for consumer mobile devices. Additionaly, a TLS survey was included to compare the two devices. To test and analyze Modelar’s application, a surveying lab at the University of New Brunswick’s Head Hall was chosen, containing a control network of sub-millimetre geometric accuracy. Results showed that with Modelar’s laser scanner application, absolute accuracies of ± 3 cm horizontally and ± 7mm vertically is achieved, while also achieving a relative accuracy of ± 3 cm. These results determined that using Modelar’s 3D modelling methods can benefit in certain reality capture applications where it may be deemed accurate and costefficient.