Apple may expand rear LiDAR sensor use to all 'iPhone 13' models
The 2021 iPhone range could use rear-mounted LiDAR across the entire range, a report claims, with the supply chain anticipating higher shipments of LiDAR components to the mobile industry in general.

The camera bump of the iPhone 12 Pro.
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max borrowed the rear-mounted LiDAR sensor from the iPad Pro. While the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini didn't include the sensor, it is suggested that the "iPhone 13" range may embrace the component across the collection.
According to supply chain sources of DigiTimes, Apple is expected to use the technology on "all its 2021 iPhone models." The components may be supplied by Sony, which has allegedly signed a three-year contract with Apple fo a "new-generation near infrared (NIR) CMOS image sensors with a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array" for a LiDAR module.
It is thought the contract will mean the continued inclusion of LiDAR in iPhones and other hardware until at least 2023.
For the iPhone 12 Pro, the LiDAR sensor is a laser-based time-of-flight system to quickly calculate distances to an object, making it extremely useful for focusing the cameras in low-light situations. It also has the capability to create precise depth maps of an environment or scene, which has practical uses in AR apps.
There has even been the suggestion of LiDAR being included in "Apple Glass," an AR headset or smart glasses, which could not only assist in depth map creation for AR purposes, but also to assist the wearer in low visibility conditions.
DigiTimes has a mixed track record when it comes to Apple reports. While it does well on supply chain affairs, its reporting on iPhone features and specifications isn't stellar, so there is at least some plausibility to the report.
The news arrives as part of a story about an anticipated increase in VCSEL shipments from Taiwan to Android device vendors, who may be following Apple's lead in using LiDAR in their devices. The shipments to Android vendors are thought to commence in the second half of 2021.

The camera bump of the iPhone 12 Pro.
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max borrowed the rear-mounted LiDAR sensor from the iPad Pro. While the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini didn't include the sensor, it is suggested that the "iPhone 13" range may embrace the component across the collection.
According to supply chain sources of DigiTimes, Apple is expected to use the technology on "all its 2021 iPhone models." The components may be supplied by Sony, which has allegedly signed a three-year contract with Apple fo a "new-generation near infrared (NIR) CMOS image sensors with a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array" for a LiDAR module.
It is thought the contract will mean the continued inclusion of LiDAR in iPhones and other hardware until at least 2023.
For the iPhone 12 Pro, the LiDAR sensor is a laser-based time-of-flight system to quickly calculate distances to an object, making it extremely useful for focusing the cameras in low-light situations. It also has the capability to create precise depth maps of an environment or scene, which has practical uses in AR apps.
There has even been the suggestion of LiDAR being included in "Apple Glass," an AR headset or smart glasses, which could not only assist in depth map creation for AR purposes, but also to assist the wearer in low visibility conditions.
DigiTimes has a mixed track record when it comes to Apple reports. While it does well on supply chain affairs, its reporting on iPhone features and specifications isn't stellar, so there is at least some plausibility to the report.
The news arrives as part of a story about an anticipated increase in VCSEL shipments from Taiwan to Android device vendors, who may be following Apple's lead in using LiDAR in their devices. The shipments to Android vendors are thought to commence in the second half of 2021.
Comments
They use alternatives that they feel work better in a car - cameras for visible spectrum, radar and sonar for occluded objects. They used LIDAR at SpaceX though for accurately guiding objects.
The Face ID scanner works in a similar way to the LIDAR, there's a comparison video (1:44) showing the dot patterns in each:
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2020/10/the-technology-behind-the-iphone-lidar-may-be-coming-soon-to-cars/
LIDAR works better for longer range depth tracking, which helps for AR and camera stabilization.
That makes sense. Never bet against technology getting better and cheaper -- and I'm surprised that Musk of all people would do so.
https://mindmatters.ai/2020/10/self-driving-cars-waymo-beats-tesla-by-picking-the-right-target/
"In fact, according to the SAE autonomy levels, where Level 0 means “not even cruise control” and Level 5 means “fully autonomous,” this software does not even qualify as a Level 3. Level 3 systems do not require constant supervision, while Tesla’s “full self-driving” explicitly requires more supervision than is ordinarily required for normal driving.
The contrast to this is WayMo. Waymo has been specializing in Level 4 autonomy. Level 4 means that the car really does self-drive but only in specific geographies or circumstances. For instance, an automaker carefully maps out specific streets, verifies that the software is capable of navigating that street, and/or implements extra infrastructure to help the software properly navigate the area. Waymo’s success at this approach can be found imprinted on their steering wheel. While Tesla says, “you must always keep your hands on the wheel and pay extra attention to the road,” Waymo’s warning reads, “Please keep your hands off the wheel The Waymo Driver is in control at all times” (The Waymo Driver is the name of their software)."
Elon is scamming people by charging for "full self driving" without delivering it. More to the point, the driver is liable if they disengage full self driving mode, and as in most cases, an alert driver will disengage right before the accident, thereby accepting blame and legal consequences.
""Where does Tesla claim that "Full Self-Driving" actually drives itself?" is a question that I was actually asked in earnest today on here."