RoboSense LiDAR Technical Report
RSHELIOS and RSBP Models for Airside Autonomous Vehicle Operations
Last updated: 2026-03-22
1. Company Overview
RoboSense Technology Co., Ltd.
Founded: 2014, Shenzhen, China
Founders: Qiu Chunxin (CEO, PhD from Harbin Institute of Technology on outdoor robotics perception), Zhu Xiaorui (Chief Scientist, PhD supervisor to Qiu), and Liu Letian (CTO, PhD peer).
Stock Listing: Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 5 January 2024 under ticker 2498.HK -- the first IPO on HKEX in 2024 and the first "laser radar stock" in the Hong Kong market. IPO raised HK$985.12 million (~US$126 million) by offering 22.9 million shares at HK$43 each. Initial market capitalisation exceeded HKD 19 billion, making RoboSense the world's largest LiDAR company by market value at the time.
Key Investors: Over 30 institutional investors including Cainiao (Alibaba's logistics arm, 10.46% pre-IPO stake), BYD, and Xiaomi.
IPO Proceeds Allocation: 45% R&D, 20% manufacturing/testing/verification, 20% sales/marketing, 15% partnerships and working capital.
2024 Financial Performance:
- Total revenue: ~RMB 1.65 billion (YoY +47.2%, three consecutive years of high growth)
- Total LiDAR units sold: ~544,000 (YoY +109.6%)
- Overall gross margin: ~17.2% (Q4 2024 gross margin: 22.1%)
- Adjusted net loss: RMB 396 million (YoY improvement of 8.9%)
- Global automotive LiDAR market share: 33.5% (No. 1 globally per Gasgoo Research Institute)
Milestone: In February 2025, RoboSense rolled off its 1-millionth LiDAR unit (an E1R), becoming the first company globally to deliver 1 million high-resolution LiDAR units.
Core Technology Differentiator: First LiDAR company to build its own chip technology, including self-developed RISC-V data processing SoCs, digital large-area SPAD-SoCs, 2D addressable VCSELs, and 2D MEMS scanning devices.
2. RS-Helios 32-Channel Series (RSHELIOS)
The Helios series is the successor to the RS-LiDAR-32, offering 29% smaller form factor and 60% lower cost compared to the original RS-LiDAR-32.
2.1 Model Nomenclature
The Helios 32 model numbers encode the vertical FOV:
- RS-Helios-5515 (a.k.a. Helios-32 F70): -55 deg to +15 deg = 70 deg total vertical FOV
- RS-Helios-1615 (a.k.a. Helios-32 F31): -16 deg to +15 deg = 31 deg total vertical FOV
- Helios-32 F26: -16 deg to +10 deg = 26 deg total vertical FOV
2.2 Common Specifications (All Helios 32 Variants)
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Channels | 32 |
| Wavelength | 905 nm |
| Laser Safety | Class 1 (IEC 60825-1), eye-safe |
| Horizontal FOV | 360 deg |
| Horizontal Angular Resolution | 0.1 deg / 0.2 deg / 0.4 deg (selectable) |
| Range | 150 m maximum; 90 m @ 10% NIST reflectivity |
| Near-Field Blind Spot | <= 0.2 m (5515 variant: <= 0.1 m) |
| Range Accuracy | +/-3 cm (0.1-1 m); +/-2 cm (1-100 m); +/-3 cm (100-150 m) |
| Point Rate (Single Return) | 576,000 pts/s |
| Point Rate (Dual Return) | 1,152,000 pts/s |
| Rotation Speed | 300 / 600 / 1200 rpm |
| Frame Rate | 5 / 10 / 20 Hz |
| Data Interface | 100Base-T1 Ethernet (automotive-grade) |
| Output Protocol | UDP packets (MSOP + DIFOP) |
| Input Voltage | 9-32 V DC |
| Power Consumption | 12 W |
| Dimensions | dia.100 mm x H 100 mm |
| Weight | ~1.0 kg (without cabling) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 deg C to +60 deg C |
| Storage Temperature | -40 deg C to +85 deg C |
| IP Rating | IP67 and IP6K9K |
| Return Modes | Single return, Dual return |
2.3 Variant-Specific Differences
| Parameter | Helios-5515 (F70) | Helios-1615 (F31) | Helios F26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical FOV | 70 deg (-55 to +15) | 31 deg (-16 to +15) | 26 deg (-16 to +10) |
| Vertical Angular Resolution | Up to 1.33 deg | 1.0 deg (uniform) | Up to 0.5 deg |
| Beam Distribution | Non-uniform (dense centre, sparse edges) | Uniform | Non-uniform (dense centre) |
| Primary Use Case | Near-field + blind-spot detection | Surveying, mapping, uniform coverage | Long-range perception, highest resolution |
| Near-Field Blind Spot | <= 0.1 m | <= 0.2 m | <= 0.2 m |
2.4 Beam Pattern Details
Helios-5515 (F70): Arranges dense laser beams in the middle of the 70 deg vertical FOV and sparse beams at both ends. The 55 deg downward tilt greatly reduces the near-field blind zone, making it ideal for low-speed autonomous vehicles that need to detect ground-level obstacles close to the vehicle.
Helios-1615 (F31): Uniform 1 deg vertical spacing across 31 deg. Provides consistent angular density, preferred for surveying and mapping applications where uniform point cloud density matters.
Helios F26: Highest vertical angular resolution at 0.5 deg within 26 deg FOV. Non-uniform distribution with denser beams concentrated in the central FOV region for maximum object discrimination at range.
2.5 Operating Modes
- High-performance mode: Full point rate at maximum rotation speed
- Low power consumption mode: Reduced rotation speed and power draw
- Web configuration and monitoring: Browser-based configuration interface
- Multi-radar interference shielding: Built-in protection against cross-talk from adjacent LiDAR units
3. RS-Bpearl (RSBP) 32-Channel Specifications
The RS-Bpearl is a hemispherical-FOV LiDAR designed specifically for near-field and blind-spot detection around autonomous vehicles and robots.
3.1 Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Channels | 32 |
| Wavelength | 905 nm |
| Laser Safety | Class 1, eye-safe |
| Horizontal FOV | 360 deg |
| Vertical FOV | 90 deg (hemispherical) |
| Horizontal Angular Resolution | 0.2 deg (10 Hz) / 0.4 deg (20 Hz) |
| Vertical Distribution | Non-uniform (32 channels across 90 deg) |
| Range | 30 m @ 10% reflectivity |
| Near-Field Blind Spot | < 10 cm (~0 blind spot) |
| Range Accuracy | +/-3 cm (typical) |
| Point Rate (Single Return) | 576,000 pts/s |
| Point Rate (Dual Return) | 1,152,000 pts/s |
| Frame Rate | 10 / 20 Hz (600 / 1200 rpm) |
| Data Interface | 100 Mbps Ethernet |
| Input Voltage | 9-32 V DC |
| Power Consumption | ~13 W (typical) |
| Dimensions | dia.111 mm x H 100 mm |
| Weight | ~0.92 kg |
| Operating Temperature | -40 deg C to +60 deg C |
| Storage Temperature | -40 deg C to +85 deg C |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Return Modes | Single return, Dual return |
3.2 Key Differences: RSBP vs RSHELIOS
| Aspect | RS-Bpearl (RSBP) | RS-Helios (RSHELIOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Near-field / blind-spot detection | Primary perception sensor |
| Vertical FOV | 90 deg (hemispherical) | 26-70 deg (forward-looking) |
| Range | 30 m | 150 m |
| Accuracy | +/-3 cm | +/-2 cm (1-100 m range) |
| Use Case | Ground obstacles, curbs, close pedestrians | Long-range object detection, path planning |
| Mounting | Typically roof-centre or bumper corners | Roof-top or mast-mounted |
| Weight | 0.92 kg | 1.0 kg |
| Power | ~13 W | 12 W |
The RSBP and RSHELIOS are complementary sensors. In autonomous vehicle deployments, the RSBP handles the immediate surround while the RSHELIOS provides the long-range forward/360 deg perception layer.
4. RS-LiDAR-M Series (MEMS Solid-State, ASIL-B)
4.1 Technology
The M series uses RoboSense's proprietary 2D MEMS smart scanner chips, advancing from 1D mechanical scanning to 2D chip-based scanning. No motors, ball bearings, or wear surfaces exist in the optical path. This solid-state architecture enables:
- Lower cost at scale
- Higher reliability (no mechanical wear)
- Automotive-grade durability
4.2 M1 Plus Key Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Range | 200 m max; 180 m @ 10% NIST |
| FOV | 120 deg (H) x 25 deg (V) |
| Angular Resolution | 0.2 deg x 0.1 deg (standard) |
| Smart GAZE ROI Resolution | 0.1 deg (V) in dynamically selected ROI |
| Point Rate (Dual Return) | Up to 1,575,000 pts/s |
| Input Voltage | 9-16 V |
| Power Consumption | 15 W |
4.3 Functional Safety: ASIL-B
RoboSense adheres strictly to ISO 26262 safety standards for the M series:
- Random hardware failure rate: < 10^-7 /h (fully achieving ASIL-B requirements)
- Functional safety level: ASIL-B (also SIL-2 for industrial)
- Integrated fail-safe concepts from aerospace and rail transportation
- Safety mechanism covers thousands of failure modes across:
- Laser emitter and receiver monitoring
- MEMS control monitoring
- Point cloud processing and transmitting monitoring
4.4 Automotive-Grade Certifications
- MEMS mirror module: AEC-Q100 certification (reliability test report by SGS)
- Eye safety: IEC 60825-1 Class 1 (certified by SGS and Goebel)
- Automotive-grade test standards applied:
- ISO 16750 (road vehicle environmental testing)
- GB/T18655-2010 / CISPR 25:2008 (EMC)
- ISO 11452 (EMC component test)
- ISO 7637 (electrical disturbances)
- ISO 10605 (ESD)
- IEC 60068 (environmental testing)
4.5 Reliability Test Data (M1 Platform)
| Test | Duration/Result |
|---|---|
| High-temperature durability | > 36,000 hours |
| High-humidity testing | > 24,000 hours |
| Cyclic temperature shock | > 21,000 hours |
| Cumulative test time (all samples) | > 300,000 hours |
| Longest continuous prototype operation | > 700 days |
| Total road test mileage | > 200,000 km |
4.6 M Series Product Range
- M1: Original solid-state MEMS LiDAR (SOP announced CES 2021)
- M1 Plus: Enhanced range (200 m) and Smart GAZE function
- M2: Mid-range, 200 m @ 10%, 0.1 deg x 0.1 deg ROI resolution
- M3: Next-generation variant
- MX: Extended variant
5. rslidar_sdk ROS/ROS2 Driver
5.1 Overview
The rslidar_sdk is the official ROS/ROS2 driver for all RoboSense LiDAR products. It wraps the core rs_driver library and provides standard ROS integration.
Repository: https://github.com/RoboSense-LiDAR/rslidar_sdkLatest Release: v1.5.18 (15 July 2025), 560 commits, 12 contributors
5.2 Supported Models
The driver supports 18 LiDAR types via the lidar_type YAML parameter:
RS16, RS32, RSBP, RSAIRY, RSHELIOS, RSHELIOS_16P, RS128, RS80, RS48,
RSP128, RSP80, RSP48, RSM1, RSM1_JUMBO, RSM2, RSM3, RSE1, RSMX5.3 ROS/ROS2 Compatibility
| Platform | ROS Version |
|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 | ROS Kinetic |
| Ubuntu 18.04 | ROS Melodic / ROS2 Eloquent |
| Ubuntu 20.04 | ROS Noetic / ROS2 Galactic |
| Ubuntu 22.04 | ROS2 Humble |
5.4 PointCloud2 Fields: XYZIRT
The driver supports two point types, configured via POINT_TYPE in CMakeLists.txt:
XYZI (basic):
struct PointXYZI {
float x; // metres
float y; // metres
float z; // metres
uint8_t intensity; // 0-255
};XYZIRT (full, recommended):
struct PointXYZIRT {
float x; // metres
float y; // metres
float z; // metres
uint8_t intensity; // 0-255
uint16_t ring; // channel/beam ID (0-31 for 32ch sensors)
double timestamp; // per-point timestamp (seconds)
};When published as ROS sensor_msgs/PointCloud2, the fields map to:
| Field | PointCloud2 Type | Offset |
|---|---|---|
| x | FLOAT32 | 0 |
| y | FLOAT32 | 4 |
| z | FLOAT32 | 8 |
| intensity | FLOAT32 (cast from uint8) | 12 |
| ring | UINT16 | 16 |
| timestamp | FLOAT64 | 18 |
The ring field is critical for algorithms that need per-beam processing (ground segmentation, beam-specific calibration). The timestamp field provides per-point timing for motion compensation during ego-motion.
5.5 Key Configuration Parameters (config.yaml)
common:
msg_source: 1 # 1=online LiDAR, 2=ROS packet, 3=PCAP
send_packet_ros: false
send_point_cloud_ros: true
lidar:
- driver:
lidar_type: RSHELIOS # LiDAR model identifier
msop_port: 6699 # MSOP data port
difop_port: 7788 # DIFOP status port
min_distance: 0.2 # Minimum range filter (m)
max_distance: 200.0 # Maximum range filter (m)
use_lidar_clock: true # Use LiDAR hardware clock vs host
dense_points: false # Exclude NaN points if true
ts_first_point: true # Timestamp = first point or last
start_angle: 0 # Start angle of scan (deg)
end_angle: 360 # End angle of scan (deg)
ros:
ros_frame_id: rslidar
ros_send_point_cloud_topic: /rslidar_points5.6 Dependencies
libyaml-cpp-dev(>= 0.5.2)libpcap-dev(>= 1.7.4)- PCL (included with ROS desktop-full)
5.7 Build and Launch
ROS (catkin):
cd ~/catkin_ws
catkin_make
source devel/setup.bash
roslaunch rslidar_sdk start.launchROS2 (colcon):
cd ~/ros2_ws
colcon build
source install/setup.bash
ros2 launch rslidar_sdk start.py5.8 Velodyne Compatibility
An open-source tool rs_to_velodyne (https://github.com/HViktorTsoi/rs_to_velodyne) converts RoboSense point clouds to Velodyne format, enabling use of existing Velodyne-based perception pipelines without modification.
6. Time Synchronisation: PTP/gPTP
6.1 Supported Synchronisation Methods
RoboSense LiDAR supports multiple time synchronisation approaches:
| Method | Protocol Layer | Precision | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPS/GNSS (PPS + GPRMC) | Hardware pulse + serial | Microsecond-level | Industry standard, requires GPS antenna |
| PTP (IEEE 1588) | L2 Ethernet | Sub-microsecond | Lower cost than GPS, no antenna needed |
| gPTP (IEEE 802.1AS) | L2 Ethernet | Sub-microsecond | Requires hardware timestamp support |
6.2 PTP Implementation Details
- RoboSense PTP uses L2 (Ethernet layer) for communication
- Supports Peer-to-Peer (P2P) delay measurement mechanism
- PTP precision: sub-microsecond level
- gPTP shares the same Peer Delay Mechanism with PTP but has stricter hardware requirements (hardware timestamps mandatory)
6.3 Timestamp Architecture
- Timestamps stored in MSOP packet headers (bytes 21-30, within 42-byte header)
- Temporal resolution: microsecond-level (1 us theoretical minimum)
- Per-block timestamps at ~111 us granularity (at 600 RPM)
use_lidar_clockparameter in rslidar_sdk selects between LiDAR hardware clock and host system clock
6.4 Synchronisation for Multi-Sensor Fusion
For airside AV deployments requiring camera-LiDAR-IMU fusion:
- PTP/gPTP over automotive Ethernet is the recommended approach (no GPS antenna required indoors/under jetways)
- PTP master clock should be the central compute unit or a dedicated grandmaster
- All sensors on the same PTP domain achieve sub-microsecond alignment
- The
timestampfield in XYZIRT point clouds enables per-point motion compensation
7. Adverse Weather Performance
7.1 Built-In Weather Filtering
The Helios and Bpearl series include Rain, Fog, Snow, and Dust Denoising functions (available upon request / firmware configuration). These operate at the sensor firmware level to filter weather-related noise from the point cloud before transmission.
7.2 Dual-Return Mode for Weather
In dual-return mode, each laser pulse registers two range returns. This is critical in adverse weather:
- First return: May hit a raindrop, snowflake, or fog particle
- Second return: Penetrates to the actual surface behind the particle
- Enables downstream algorithms to identify and discard weather artifacts while retaining true object detections
7.3 Quantitative Weather Degradation (General 905 nm LiDAR)
| Condition | Typical Impact |
|---|---|
| Light rain (< 2.5 mm/h) | Minimal degradation, denoising effective |
| Heavy rain (> 7.5 mm/h) | Max detection range decreases ~30%, point density drops ~45% |
| Moderate fog (visibility 200-500 m) | Reduced range, increased noise |
| Dense fog (visibility < 200 m) | Significant range reduction, heavy noise |
| Moderate snow | Denoising maintains clear point cloud (validated at -23 deg C) |
| Dust | Addressed by denoising function |
7.4 Validated Cold-Weather Testing (M1)
RoboSense conducted the first cold-winter test of automotive-grade solid-state LiDAR in northeast China (Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia and Heihe, Heilongjiang):
- Temperature range: -18 deg C to -23 deg C
- Conditions: Low-visibility moderate snow, Level 4-5 northwest winds
- Result: "Reliable perception performance with clear and stable point cloud output"
- The RS-Helios series is rated to -40 deg C operating temperature, providing additional cold-weather margin
7.5 IP Protection Summary
| Model | IP Rating | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| RS-Helios 32 | IP67, IP6K9K | Dust-tight, submersion-proof, high-pressure jet wash |
| RS-Bpearl | IP67 | Dust-tight, submersion to 1 m for 30 min |
| RS-LiDAR-M1/M1+ | IP6K9K | Automotive-grade pressure-jet water resistance |
IP6K9K is particularly important for airside operations where vehicles are exposed to jet wash, de-icing fluid spray, and pressure cleaning.
8. Comparison: RoboSense Helios 32 vs Hesai XT32
| Parameter | RS-Helios-1615 (F31) | Hesai XT32 |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | 32 | 32 |
| Wavelength | 905 nm | 905 nm |
| Range (max) | 150 m | 120 m |
| Range @ 10% NIST | 90 m | 80 m |
| Horizontal FOV | 360 deg | 360 deg |
| Vertical FOV | 31 deg | 31 deg |
| H Angular Resolution | 0.1/0.2/0.4 deg | 0.18 deg |
| V Angular Resolution | 1.0 deg | 1.0 deg |
| Point Rate (Single) | 576,000 pts/s | 640,000 pts/s |
| Range Accuracy | +/-2 cm (1-100 m) | +/-1 cm |
| Range Precision | -- | 0.5 cm (1-sigma) |
| Weight | ~1.0 kg | ~0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | dia.100 x 100 mm | dia.76 x 103.2 mm |
| Power Consumption | 12 W | ~18 W (typical) |
| Operating Temp | -40 to +60 deg C | -20 to +40 deg C |
| IP Rating | IP67, IP6K9K | IP6K7 |
| Data Interface | 100Base-T1 | 100 Mbps Ethernet |
| Design Lifespan | Not published | > 30,000 hours (typical) |
| Eye Safety | Class 1 | Class 1 |
| Dual Return | Yes (1,152,000 pts/s) | Yes (1,280,000 pts/s) |
| Weather Denoising | Built-in firmware function | Not specified |
| Near-Field Blind | <= 0.2 m | 0.05 m |
| Approx. Price | ~US$1,800-2,700 | ~US$3,000-4,000 |
8.1 Key Advantages: RoboSense Helios
- Wider operating temperature range (-40 to +60 vs -20 to +40) -- critical for airside operations across seasons
- Superior IP rating (IP6K9K vs IP6K7) -- jet-wash and pressure-cleaning resilient
- Greater range (150 m vs 120 m max)
- Lower power consumption (12 W vs ~18 W)
- Built-in weather denoising in firmware
- Multiple FOV variants (26/31/70 deg) from same platform
- Selectable horizontal resolution (0.1/0.2/0.4 deg)
- Lower cost (~40-50% less expensive)
8.2 Key Advantages: Hesai XT32
- Better range accuracy (+/-1 cm vs +/-2 cm)
- Higher point rate in single return (640k vs 576k pts/s)
- Lighter weight (0.8 kg vs 1.0 kg)
- Smaller diameter (76 mm vs 100 mm)
- Shorter near-field blind spot (0.05 m vs 0.2 m)
- Published design lifespan (> 30,000 hours)
9. Reliability Data
9.1 Mechanical LiDAR (Helios/Bpearl)
RoboSense Helios and Bpearl are designed with reference to automotive-grade standards, with reliability tests covering:
- Mechanical shock
- Random vibration
- Low-temperature operation (-40 deg C)
- Water protection (IP67/IP6K9K)
- EMC (electromagnetic compatibility)
Specific MTBF figures for the Helios and Bpearl mechanical LiDAR units are not publicly disclosed. However, the automotive-grade design and testing regime implies reliability comparable to automotive-tier components.
9.2 Solid-State LiDAR (M Series)
The M platform has the most comprehensive published reliability data:
- Random hardware failure rate: < 10^-7 /h (ASIL-B compliant)
- This equates to a theoretical MTBF > 10,000,000 hours
- AEC-Q100 certification for MEMS mirror module
- 300,000+ hours cumulative test time
- 700+ days longest continuous operation of a single prototype
- 200,000+ km total road test mileage
- Testing per ISO 16750, ISO 11452, ISO 7637, ISO 10605, IEC 60068
9.3 E1R Solid-State (Latest Generation)
- Passed over 60 rigorous reliability tests
- Operating temperature: -40 to +85 deg C
- Vibration shock tolerance: up to 50 G
- Fully solid-state (no moving parts) -- inherently longer lifespan
10. Optimal Airside Configuration
10.1 Airside Environment Characteristics
Airport airside environments present specific challenges:
- Wide open aprons with long sight-line requirements (> 100 m)
- Mixed traffic: aircraft, baggage tugs, fuel trucks, ground crew on foot
- Jet blast and jet wash exposure
- FOD (Foreign Object Debris) detection requirements at ground level
- All-weather operation (rain, snow, fog, extreme temperatures)
- GPS-denied areas under terminal buildings, jetways, and hangars
- High-vibration environments (vehicle traversing expansion joints, rough tarmac)
- Pressure washing and de-icing fluid exposure
10.2 Recommended Sensor Configuration
Primary Perception Layer: 2x RS-Helios-1615 (F31)
- Mount: Roof-top, front and rear facing
- Configuration: 31 deg vertical FOV with uniform 1 deg resolution
- Role: Long-range (150 m) 360 deg perception, path planning, obstacle detection
- Rationale: Uniform beam distribution preferred for consistent point cloud density at all ranges; 150 m range covers full apron crossing distances; -40 deg C rating handles all climatic conditions
Near-Field / Blind-Spot Layer: 4x RS-Bpearl
- Mount: Four corners of the vehicle (front-left, front-right, rear-left, rear-right), tilted slightly outward
- Configuration: 90 deg hemispherical FOV, < 10 cm blind spot
- Role: Ground-level obstacle detection, curb detection, FOD identification, close-proximity pedestrian safety
- Rationale: Hemispherical coverage eliminates blind spots around the vehicle; 30 m range sufficient for safety-critical close-range envelope
Optional Forward Perception Enhancement: 1x RS-LiDAR-M1 Plus
- Mount: Front-centre, forward-facing
- Configuration: 120 deg x 25 deg FOV, 200 m range, ASIL-B
- Role: Long-range forward detection on taxiways, enhanced resolution in ROI via Smart GAZE
- Rationale: ASIL-B functional safety for safety-critical forward detection; solid-state reliability in high-vibration environment
10.3 Configuration Parameters for Airside
Horizontal Resolution: Set to 0.2 deg for Helios units (optimal balance of point density and data bandwidth at 10 Hz frame rate).
Frame Rate: 10 Hz recommended. Provides adequate temporal resolution for low-speed airside vehicles (typically < 25 km/h) while keeping data bandwidth manageable.
Dual-Return Mode: Enable for all sensors. Critical for adverse weather operations -- dual return allows perception algorithms to see through rain, snow, and dust.
Weather Denoising: Enable firmware-level rain/fog/snow/dust denoising on all Helios and Bpearl units.
Time Synchronisation: Use PTP over the automotive Ethernet backbone. PTP is preferred over GPS for airside because:
- GPS signals may be occluded under terminal buildings, jetways, and inside hangars
- PTP provides sub-microsecond synchronisation without antenna placement constraints
- All sensors share the same PTP domain via the vehicle Ethernet switch
rslidar_sdk Configuration:
- Set
use_lidar_clock: trueto use hardware-synchronised timestamps - Set
dense_points: trueto exclude NaN points, reducing downstream processing load - Use XYZIRT point type for full per-point ring and timestamp data
- Set
min_distanceto 0.2 m for Helios, 0.1 m for Bpearl
10.4 Data Architecture
Total sensor data budget (recommended configuration):
| Sensor | Count | Points/s (Dual Return) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| RS-Helios-1615 | 2 | 1,152,000 | 2,304,000 |
| RS-Bpearl | 4 | 1,152,000 | 4,608,000 |
| RS-LiDAR-M1 Plus | 1 | 1,575,000 | 1,575,000 |
| Total | 7 | ~8.5 M pts/s |
Each XYZIRT point = 26 bytes, so total raw bandwidth = ~221 MB/s. This is well within the capacity of a GbE backbone with dedicated VLAN per sensor.
10.5 Mounting and Environmental Considerations
- IP6K9K rating on the Helios units means they survive airside pressure-washing operations without removal or bagging
- The 905 nm wavelength is eye-safe at Class 1, important for operations around ground crew and passengers
- 9-32 V input range accommodates both 12 V and 24 V vehicle electrical systems common in ground support equipment
- At ~1 kg per Helios and ~0.92 kg per Bpearl, total LiDAR weight for the 7-sensor configuration is approximately 5.7 kg -- negligible for a ground vehicle
11. Additional RoboSense Product Lines (Reference)
E1R (Solid-State, Robotics)
- 120 deg x 90 deg ultra-wide FOV
- 30 m @ 10% range, 75 m max
- 144-beam, 260,000 pts/s (single) / 520,000 pts/s (dual)
- 0.625 deg angular resolution
- Digital SPAD-SoC + 2D VCSEL chips
- -40 to +85 deg C operating
- 50 G vibration shock
- 69.5 x 95 x 43 mm, very compact
EM4 (Thousand-Beam Digital LiDAR)
- Integrates SPAD-SoC with 1080-Core LEP (LiDAR Echo Processing)
- Proprietary "Large Echo Processing Model" (Huiyan AI Model)
- AI-trained noise reduction for rain, fog, and dust
- Next-generation digital architecture
Sources
- RoboSense IPO Announcement
- RoboSense 2024 Annual Results
- CNBC: RoboSense IPO Debut
- SCMP: RoboSense Trading Debut
- RoboSense Helios Product Page
- RS-Helios-32 Specs (InDro Robotics)
- RS-Helios Variants (AdvantaBuy)
- RoboSense Bpearl Product Page
- RS-Bpearl Specs (Generation Robots)
- RoboSense M Series / ASIL-B
- RoboSense M1 Winter Testing
- rslidar_sdk GitHub Repository
- rslidar_sdk Point Type Documentation
- rslidar_sdk Parameter Documentation
- RoboSense PTP/GPS Sync FAQ
- RoboSense Timestamp Mechanism Analysis
- Hesai XT32 Product Page
- Hesai XT32M2X Specs (Epotronic)
- RoboSense E1R Product Page
- TechInsights RS-Helios Teardown
- Ouster vs RoboSense Comparison (Generation Robots)
- RoboSense Store: Helios Series