Apple Releases ARKit 3.5 for Developers With Support for iPad Pro's LiDAR Scanner

Apple today informed developers that ARKit 3.5 is now available, with the update adding support for the LiDAR Scanner and depth-sensing system included in the new 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models.

appleipadproar
According to Apple, the new LiDAR Scanner will allow for a "new generation of AR apps" that use Scene Geometry for enhanced scene understanding and object occlusion.

Existing AR experiences on ‌iPad Pro‌ can also be improved with instant AR placement and improved Motion Capture and People Occlusion.

The LiDAR Scanner uses reflected light to measure the distance from the sensor to surrounding objects up to five meters away, indoors and outdoors. Depth frameworks in iPadOS combine depth points measured by the LiDAR Scanner, data from the two cameras, and data from motion sensors with computer vision algorithms handled by the A12Z Bionic to create a detailed and complete understanding of a scene.

At the current time, the new LiDAR Scanner with its enhanced augmented reality capabilities is limited to the new ‌iPad Pro‌ models, but Apple is also expected to include the feature in the 2020 iPhone models set to be released this fall.

Tag: ARKit

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Use Same Rear Chassis as iPhone 16

Friday July 19, 2024 7:16 am PDT by
Apple will adopt the same rear chassis manufacturing process for the iPhone SE 4 that it is using for the upcoming standard iPhone 16, claims a new rumor coming out of China. According to the Weibo-based leaker "Fixed Focus Digital," the backplate manufacturing process for the iPhone SE 4 is "exactly the same" as the standard model in Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, which is expected to...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Just Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Monday July 15, 2024 4:44 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
bsod

Crowdstrike Says Global IT Outage Impacting Windows PCs, But Mac and Linux Hosts Not Affected

Friday July 19, 2024 3:12 am PDT by
A widespread system failure is currently affecting numerous Windows devices globally, causing critical boot failures across various industries, including banks, rail networks, airlines, retailers, broadcasters, healthcare, and many more sectors. The issue, manifesting as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), is preventing computers from starting up properly and forcing them into continuous recovery...
iphone 14 lineup

Cellebrite Unable to Unlock iPhones on iOS 17.4 or Later, Leak Reveals

Thursday July 18, 2024 4:18 am PDT by
Israel-based mobile forensics company Cellebrite is unable to unlock iPhones running iOS 17.4 or later, according to leaked documents verified by 404 Media. The documents provide a rare glimpse into the capabilities of the company's mobile forensics tools and highlight the ongoing security improvements in Apple's latest devices. The leaked "Cellebrite iOS Support Matrix" obtained by 404 Media...
Apple Watch Series 9

2024 Apple Watch Lineup: Key Changes We're Expecting

Tuesday July 16, 2024 7:59 am PDT by
Apple is seemingly planning a rework of the Apple Watch lineup for 2024, according to a range of reports from over the past year. Here's everything we know so far. Apple is expected to continue to offer three different Apple Watch models in five casing sizes, but the various display sizes will allegedly grow by up to 12% and the casings will get taller. Based on all of the latest rumors,...
tinypod apple watch

TinyPod Turns Your Apple Watch Into an iPod

Wednesday July 17, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by
If you have an old Apple Watch and you're not sure what to do with it, a new product called TinyPod might be the answer. Priced at $79, the TinyPod is a silicone case with a built-in scroll wheel that houses the Apple Watch chassis. When an Apple Watch is placed inside the TinyPod, the click wheel on the case is able to be used to scroll through the Apple Watch interface. The feature works...

Top Rated Comments

az431 Avatar
57 months ago

I take Gimmicks the world doesn't need for $100, Alex
Always fun when people pass judgment based on their own internal subjective beliefs. But at least you didn't say that you polled all 8 of your friends and none were interested in it.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chucker23n1 Avatar
57 months ago
Thomas, post: 28306089, member: 1021539"]
But I guess the LiDAR should still help in normal AR applications as well, e.g. when it comes to detecting a surface. Currently this is done using the cameras and AI only. So, the LiDAR should be able to transparently assist that AI in current AR applications as well, or?
The question there would be: will it remove lag in AR applications? Last time I tried an AR app the stabilization of AR objects was imho too slow. For objects in space it doesn't really matter, but for objects supposed to be attached to or sitting on a surface it didn't really met my expectations...
Yes. The calibration step goes away.

Instant AR
The LiDAR Scanner on iPad Pro enables incredibly quick plane detection, allowing for the instant placement of AR objects in the real world without scanning. Instant AR placement is automatically enabled on iPad Pro for all apps built with ARKit, without any code changes.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Defender2010 Avatar
57 months ago
This is all in preparation for their glasses. To gather real life data. iPhone next when devs have caught up.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
calstanford Avatar
57 months ago
I take Gimmicks the world doesn't need for $100, Alex
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
57 months ago

I take Gimmicks the world doesn't need for $100, Alex
Nineteen years ago that would have been: I'll take Who Needs 1,000 Songs in Your Pocket for $100, Alex.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
farewelwilliams Avatar
57 months ago
people that say "but the 12Z chip is awful!" have no clue what it means to include an expensive lidar feature.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)