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Our task will be to implement the LIDAR sensor under the bus and get readings if the bus is moving or not. That is, when the bus will move, the back door will be locked and when the bus stops, the back door will be unlocked. Hence, regarding our requirements, I had a few question which I would like to ask you:[/highlight][/font]
[font=arial, sans-serif][highlight=#ffffff]1. Is the TFMini compatible with arduino?[/highlight][/font]
[font=arial, sans-serif][highlight=#ffffff]2. Since the sensor will be implemented under the bus, it has to be protected against dust from the exhaust pipes and rain. Will that be possible with the TFMini?[/highlight][/font]
[font=arial, sans-serif][highlight=#ffffff]3. The max distance between the ground and the bus is approx 1m hence I believe the TFMini will be more cost effective. Can it be programmed so as it gives us the speed of the bus when it is moving? Will be get the libraries/sketches for arduino when buying it too?[/highlight][/font]
I was told that the LIDAR will not measure speed of the bus but only the range between the ground and the bus. Is it true?
[font=arial, sans-serif][highlight=#ffffff]I hope you will be able to answer my questions as soon as you can.[/highlight][/font]
Is there a specific reason why you chose range measurement LIDAR technology for this purpose? Any details you can provide here would be helpful to help us guide you to an appropriate product.
Yes, it is compatible with Arduino. You can find more information about the protocol on the product page RB-Ben-03], under Useful Links. Here is a direct link to the GitHub for the example code from the manufacturer. It should be enough to get you started.
The TFMini is partially open and has no protection from dust or water (no IP rating). We have other products that are sealed properly, but they are more expensive. You can search for RB-Ben-02 for an example of one.
We have not tested the TFMini at such short distances, but it would most likely work well at 1m.
It may be do-able, but usually this is achieved by tracking the change in distance relative to a fixed object. If your sensor is pointing at the ground, it would always measure the same distance and therefore it would not be possible to evaluate the speed from that.
Yes, this product only measures distances from the sensor to the target. Since the distance would always be the same, the sensor would not be able to help you track speed. As mentioned above, speed is a relative measurement of displacement over time between two objects. If the relative distance is always the same, then there is no speed.
