Since 2020, Apple has made LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology available on its mobile devices. Initially available on the 2020 iPad Pro, it is now a feature of several key Apple products, with enhanced performance expected in 2025 :
iPad Pro M4 (2024)
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max (2023)
iPhone 16 Pro (2024)
Apple Vision Pro (2024)
Thanks to these advances, Apple LiDAR has become a reference in many industrial sectors for its 3D scanning capabilities helping and working with companies and social networks such as Snapchat, which uses this technology for their filter.
What is a LiDAR sensor?
The LiDAR sensor uses laser pulses to accurately measure distances between the device and its surroundings. It generates a high-resolution depth map in real time, with enough precision to power advanced business applications :
3D modeling
Augmented reality (AR)
Quality control
Immersive simulation
What's new in 2025
iPad Pro M4 (2024): even more powerful
Powered by the Apple Silicon M4 chip, the latest iPad Pro offers vastly increased processing power for real-time LiDAR data processing, especially for augmented reality and 3D modelling applications. Combined with the new Tandem OLED screen technology, the display becomes more contrasted, brighter and sharper, greatly improving the integration of virtual elements into the real world. In addition, the new, optimised ultra-wide-angle camera enables even more detailed capture of the environment, facilitating fast, accurate 3D scanning in variable lighting conditions. The result? More immersive and reliable AR experiences that are adapted to the needs of professionals in architecture, industrial design, maintenance, content creation and corporate training.
iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max
The A18 Pro chip has significantly improved the LiDAR and photo fusion algorithms, allowing for even more detailed and accurate mapping of environments. Thanks to the synergy between visual capture and depth measurements, the iPhone 16 Pro can generate high-fidelity 3D models in all kinds of environments.
Its portability and compact design make it ideal for professionals who are constantly on the move. Maintenance technicians, real estate agents, health and safety auditors and architects can now quickly scan a space, visualise measurements and integrate virtual elements directly in the field. The iPhone thus becomes much more than a smartphone it becomes a true pocket 3D scanner, ready for use in professional environments.
Apple Vision Pro
Thanks to its spatial computing capabilities and full LiDAR integration, the Apple Vision Pro is set to usher in a new era for mixed reality applications :
Visualization of infrastructures in real size
Remote maintenance assisted in AR
Simulation of logistics flows or industrial processes
Why integrate LiDAR into your professional projects in 2025?
1. Increasingly improved scan accuracy
The new LiDAR sensors now allow:
Dense and directly exploitable point clouds in software such as Revit, SolidWorks and Blender.
Scans of complex industrial parts or entire buildings can be completed in a matter of minutes.
There was an increase in interoperability with BIM platforms, digital twins and simulators.
Industrial examples:
Pipe inspection, brownfield factory documentation and mechanical retrodesign, as well as site monitoring.
2. Augmented reality more powerful than ever
The latest versions of ARKit 6 & 7 offer:
A smoother real-time occlusion, even in rapid motion,
Better semantic recognition objects and people,
An ultra-stable alignment between real and virtual elements.
Concrete cases:
✅ Display of 3D plans on a construction site, ✅ AR assistance in industrial training (assembly, maintenance), ✅ Repetitions of QHSE protocols.
3. Expanded use cases in 2025
Industry & engineering
In the industrial sector, the combination of augmented reality and LiDAR offers tangible opportunities. By superimposing virtual prototypes onto existing production lines, engineers can visualise and test the integration of new equipment before it is even physically installed. This enables them to anticipate spatial, ergonomic and safety constraints, and to optimise technical choices. Furthermore, this capability significantly reduces assembly errors thanks to visualisation at an early stage, directly on site. Furthermore, analysing 3D-scanned environments enables the creation of digital twins that can be used for predictive inspections, condition-based maintenance, and reconfiguring workshops
Training & safety
The combination of AR and LiDAR is becoming a strategic tool in QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety and Environment) approaches and professional training. Sensors can automatically detect posture anomalies or the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE) and provide real-time visual or audio alerts. Immersive scenarios that simulate accidents, evacuations or interventions allow employees to undergo realistic and safe training, while reducing the logistical costs of physical training. Finally, virtual coaching via avatars or augmented instructions provides personalised support in controlled environments, even remotely.
Retail, marketing & events
In the retail and communications industries, LiDAR is transforming the customer experience. In-store spaces are becoming interactive, with virtual objects appearing at real scale and products being dynamically personalised. Users can interact directly via their Apple device. Virtual try-on becomes ultra-precise thanks to morphological adaptation, allowing users to test clothes, accessories or makeup with a faithful visual rendering in real time. At events, LiDAR-based AR devices can capture audience movements to trigger interactive animations, thereby strengthening engagement and brand recall.
Why Apple's solution for your AR needs?
✅ Lightweight and intuitive hardware ✅ Proven LiDAR + ARKit technology ✅ Broad ecosystem of professional applications ✅ Interoperability with business software (BIM, CAD, 3D) ✅ Unbeatable value for money compared to traditional AR headsets
CONSEIL 3D accompanies you in your augmented reality projects
Our team of experts in AR, spatial computing and 3D modelling can help you with:
Identify the relevant use cases for your business.
Deploy a turnkey solution incorporating the latest Apple technologies.
Integrate the captured data with your existing tools, such as PLM, ERP and CAD.
FAQ LIDAR Technology : Common questions
What is LIDAR technology?
LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology which uses laser beams to accurately measure distances and create detailed 3D maps of the environment.
What is the difference between LIDAR, radar and cameras?
Unlike radar, which is less precise but more robust, and cameras, which capture 2D images and depend on light conditions, LIDAR provides high-resolution 3D data.
What is LIDAR used for in industry?
It is commonly used for mapping areas, inspecting structures, creating 3D models and guiding autonomous vehicles or robots in various sectors, such as construction, manufacturing and automotive.
Which devices use LIDAR technology?
It can be found in certain iPhone and iPad Pro models for AR and 3D applications, as well as in drones, autonomous vehicles and professional 3D scanners or terrestrial scanning stations.
How do you work with LIDAR data?
This data is processed using specialised software such as CloudCompare or Autodesk ReCap, which is used to create 3D models for industrial, visualisation or augmented reality applications.
