A robot does not need to understand the meaning of life.
Most of the time, it just needs to know:
What is in front of me, and how far away is it?
That is where the Sony AS-DT1 LiDAR Depth Sensor fits.
The AS-DT1 is a compact 3D depth sensing module for robotics, UAVs, drones, embedded vision, industrial automation, autonomous navigation, and AI perception systems. It uses Direct Time-of-Flight dToF LiDAR technology with a SPAD distance sensor to provide real-time depth data in a small, integration-friendly package.
At just 29 × 29 × 31 mm and approximately 46 g, the Sony AS-DT1 gives engineers a practical way to add depth awareness without building a bulky 3D sensing system.
It is not designed to be a giant mapping LiDAR. It is built for fast, useful distance awareness in compact systems.
What Is the Sony AS-DT1?
The Sony AS-DT1 is a compact LiDAR depth sensor that measures distance in real time.
It outputs up to 576 ranging points in a 24 × 24 grid, supports up to 30 fps, and offers ranging modes up to 40 meters indoors. Outdoor range is listed up to approximately 20 meters, depending on ambient light and real-world conditions.
The AS-DT1 uses a 940 nm VCSEL laser light source and a dToF SPAD ranging element.
Simple version: it sends out light, measures how long it takes to bounce back, and turns that timing into distance data.
A regular camera can show what something looks like. The AS-DT1 helps a system understand how far away it is.
That is useful for obstacle detection, proximity sensing, navigation support, machine vision triggering, and embedded AI perception.
Why Engineers Care
Small systems come with real design headaches.
Drones are sensitive to weight. Robots run out of mounting space. Embedded systems cannot always spend extra processing power on complex depth calculations. Automation projects often just need reliable distance feedback, not a science experiment.
The Sony AS-DT1 checks the practical boxes:
- Compact 29 × 29 × 31 mm form factor
- Approx. 46 g weight
- Up to 576 ranging points
- 24 × 24 depth grid
- Up to 30 fps output
- Up to 40 m indoor range
- USB Type-C connection
- UART support
- Trigger input and output
- Python SDK support
- Windows, Ubuntu, Raspberry Pi OS, and Jetson Jetpack support
- Built-in IMU
- Class 1 eye-safe laser rating
For compact robotics, UAV, embedded vision, and industrial automation projects, that combination is the point.
Key Sony AS-DT1 Specs
| Feature | Sony AS-DT1 |
|---|---|
| Sensor Type | dToF SPAD LiDAR depth sensor |
| Ranging Points | 576 dots |
| Grid | 24 × 24 |
| Reduced Dot Mode | 288 dots in 30M30F mode |
| Max Indoor Range | Up to 40 m |
| Max Outdoor Range | Up to 20 m |
| Frame Rate | Up to 30 fps |
| Field of View | HFOV 35.5±2°, VFOV 28.2±2° |
| Wavelength | 940±6 nm |
| Accuracy | ±50 mm at 10 m |
| Distance Resolution | 0.25 mm |
| Laser Class | Class 1 |
| Dimensions | W29 × H29 × D31 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 46 g |
| Interfaces | USB Type-C, UART, trigger I/O |
| Power | USB power or DC 12–24 V |
| Power Consumption | Max. 2.5 W |
| SDK | Python |
| Supported OS | Windows 11, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS x64, Raspberry Pi OS 32/64-bit, Jetson Jetpack 6.2 |
| IMU | Built-in |
AS-DT1 Ranging Modes
The AS-DT1 includes multiple ranging modes, allowing engineers to balance distance, dot layout, and frame rate.
| Mode | Max Distance | Dots | Frame Rate |
| 20M | 20 m | 24 × 24 | 30 fps |
| 30MSTD | 30 m | 24 × 24 | 30 fps |
| 30M15F | 30 m | 24 × 24 | 15 fps |
| 30M30F | 30 m | 24 × 12 | 30 fps |
| 40M | 40 m | 24 × 24 | 15 fps |
Need smoother updates? Use a 30 fps mode.
Need longer indoor range? The 40M mode reaches up to 40 meters at 15 fps.
Need speed with a lighter dot layout? 30M30F provides 24 × 12 dots at 30 fps.
That flexibility helps when designing around real constraints like power, size, processing, and response time.
What Is the 24 × 24 Grid Good For?
The AS-DT1’s 24 × 24 depth grid is not meant for dense 3D reconstruction.
It is better for fast distance awareness.
That means answering practical system questions like:
Is something there?
Where is it?
How far away is it?
Good-fit applications include:
- Obstacle detection
- Proximity sensing
- Zone monitoring
- Navigation support
- Distance-to-object measurement
- Object presence detection
- Landing assistance
- Machine vision triggering
- Embedded AI perception inputs
For many robots, drones, and automation systems, that is enough to make the system smarter, safer, or more responsive.
Best-Fit Applications
The Sony AS-DT1 is best suited for compact systems that need real-time depth awareness.
Robotics
Use it for obstacle detection, autonomous mobile robots, proximity sensing, navigation assistance, and short-to-mid range distance feedback.
UAVs and Drones
The compact size and low weight make the AS-DT1 useful for drone obstacle detection, landing support, indoor navigation, and forward-facing distance awareness.
Outdoor UAV use should be tested under real lighting conditions because ambient infrared light can reduce performance.
Embedded Vision and AI Systems
The AS-DT1 can add distance data to systems using NVIDIA Jetson, Raspberry Pi, Ubuntu, or Windows platforms.
Image data tells a system what it sees. Depth data helps it understand where things are.
Industrial Automation
Use it for part presence detection, distance checks, object positioning, zone monitoring, machine vision triggering, and compact industrial sensing.
Where It May Not Be the Right Fit
The Sony AS-DT1 is not the answer to every 3D sensing problem.
It may not be the best fit if you need:
- Dense 3D reconstruction
- High-resolution point clouds
- Wide-area scanning
- Full-scene 3D mapping
- Long-range outdoor sensing in strong sunlight
- Traditional 2D video output
The AS-DT1 is better described as a compact real-time depth awareness sensor.
That is not a weakness. It just means it has a specific job.
Integration Notes
A sensor can have great specs and still be painful to integrate. The AS-DT1 gives engineers practical connection and control options:
- USB Type-C host connection
- USB Type-C daisy chain connection
- UART through an 8-pin GH connector
- Trigger input
- Trigger output
- USB power
- DC 12–24 V external power
- Python SDK
- Built-in IMU
Supported environments include:
- Windows 11
- Ubuntu 24.04 LTS for x64
- Raspberry Pi OS, 32-bit and 64-bit
- Jetson Jetpack 6.2
That makes the AS-DT1 relevant for robotics developers, Jetson-based AI systems, Raspberry Pi prototypes, embedded Linux projects, and compact industrial automation designs.
Why Buy the Sony AS-DT1 from Block Cameras?
Buying a depth sensor is not just about matching one impressive spec.
It is about whether the sensor fits the system you are actually building.
Block Cameras can help customers think through practical questions before ordering:
- What range do you actually need?
- Is the 24 × 24 grid enough for your application?
- Do you need 30 fps, maximum distance, or both?
- Are you using Jetson, Raspberry Pi, Windows, or embedded Linux?
- Do you need USB-C, UART, trigger I/O, or DC power?
- Will this be mounted on a robot, drone, machine, or embedded device?
- Is LiDAR the right approach, or would another sensing method work better?
That kind of guidance can help prevent an expensive mistake: buying a sensor that looks good on paper but does not fit the real application.
Final Takeaway
The Sony AS-DT1 LiDAR Depth Sensor is a compact dToF SPAD 3D sensing module built for practical real-time depth awareness.
It gives robotics, UAV, embedded vision, AI perception, and automation teams a way to add distance measurement without jumping straight to a bulky or overcomplicated 3D sensing system.
It is small, fast, integration-friendly, and designed for useful depth sensing tasks like obstacle detection, proximity sensing, navigation support, and spatial awareness.
Need help integrating the Sony AS-DT1 into a robotics, UAV, or embedded vision system? Contact Block Cameras for help matching the right LiDAR depth sensor, interface, cable, power setup, and integration path to your application.
Talk to a technical expert → sales@block-cameras.com | (623) 240-0030
FAQ
What is the Sony AS-DT1 used for?
The Sony AS-DT1 is used for real-time depth sensing in robotics, UAVs, embedded vision, industrial automation, obstacle detection, proximity sensing, and navigation support.
What type of sensor is the Sony AS-DT1?
The AS-DT1 is a compact dToF SPAD LiDAR depth sensor. It uses Direct Time-of-Flight technology to measure distance.
How many depth points does the AS-DT1 output?
The Sony AS-DT1 outputs up to 576 ranging points in a 24 × 24 grid. In 30M30F mode, it outputs 288 points in a 24 × 12 grid.
What is the maximum range of the Sony AS-DT1?
The AS-DT1 supports up to 40 meters indoors. Outdoor range is up to approximately 20 meters, depending on ambient light and operating conditions.
Is the Sony AS-DT1 good for drones?
Yes, the AS-DT1 can be used for UAV and drone obstacle detection, proximity sensing, landing support, and navigation assistance. Outdoor range and ambient light conditions should be tested for the specific application.
Does the Sony AS-DT1 work with NVIDIA Jetson?
Yes, the AS-DT1 lists support for Jetson Jetpack 6.2, making it relevant for Jetson-based robotics and embedded AI systems.
Does the Sony AS-DT1 work with Raspberry Pi?
Yes, the AS-DT1 lists support for Raspberry Pi OS in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Is the AS-DT1 good for high-resolution 3D mapping?
The AS-DT1 is better suited for obstacle detection, proximity sensing, real-time ranging, and spatial awareness. Its 24 × 24 grid is useful for compact depth detection, but it is not intended for dense high-resolution 3D reconstruction.