The Hidden Hazard: Why Filming LiDAR-Equipped Cars Can Fry Your Phone Camera A peculiar warning has surfaced in online car and tech forums, specifically targeting the new Volvo EX90: "Never film the new Ex90 because you will break your cell camera. Lidar lasers burn your camera." While it sounds like science fiction, this caution highlights a real potential conflict between advanced automotive safety technology and the sensitive electronics in our pockets. The culprit? LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems, increasingly common in modern vehicles for driver assistance and autonomous features. LiDAR works by emitting pulses of laser light (often infrared, invisible to the human eye) and measuring the reflections to build a detailed 3D map of the surroundings. This allows vehicles like the EX90 to "see" obstacles, pedestrians, and other vehicles with remarkable precision. However, the very sensors designed to capture light in our smartphone cameras can be vulnerable to these concentrated laser beams. How LiDAR Can Damage Camera Sensors Smartphone camera sensors are marvels of miniaturization, packed with millions of pixels designed to detect incoming light. When exposed to intense, focused light sources like lasers, these delicate sensors can be overwhelmed. The energy from the laser, even if it's infrared, can permanently damage individual pixels or clusters of them. This damage typically manifests as: Persistent Spots: Dead or stuck pixels appearing as permanent dots on images and videos. Lines: Streaks across the image where rows or columns of pixels have been affected. General Degradation: A noticeable decrease in overall image quality, potentially including color shifts or reduced sensitivity. Reports on platforms like Reddit and Hacker News detail user experiences where filming vehicles suspected of having active LiDAR systems coincided with subsequent camera damage. Some users noted that specific lenses, particularly on higher-end phones like certain iPhone "Pro" models, seemed more susceptible . This suggests that lens design, sensor specifics, or the presence (or absence) of protective filters can influence vulnerability. The core issue remains: the highly sensitive nature of camera sensors makes them susceptible to damage from concentrated light energy emitted by LiDAR. Eye Safety vs. Camera Safety: Understanding Class 1 Lasers Concerns about laser damage naturally raise questions about human eye safety. Automotive LiDAR systems, including the one integrated into the Volvo EX90, are generally classified as Class 1 laser devices. According to safety standards, Class 1 lasers are considered safe under all reasonably foreseeable conditions of normal use . This means the emitted laser light levels are typically too low to cause eye injury during brief or accidental exposure. The lasers often operate in the infrared spectrum, outside the range of human vision, further contributing to their eye-safe classification . However, "eye-safe" does not automatically mean "camera-safe." Camera sensors operate differently from the human eye and can be far more sensitive to specific wavelengths and intensities of light. As one scientist with laser experience commented on Hacker News, "everything that is strong enough to destroy a camera Sensor is strong enough to Hurt your eye." They elaborated that while the specific wavelengths used might not damage the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye), they could potentially affect the cornea or lens, causing haziness with sufficient exposure . It's crucial to remember that vehicle LiDAR systems are designed to scan the environment broadly, not focus intensely on a single point for prolonged periods, which mitigates the risk to eyes under normal circumstances. Camera sensors, however, can effectively "stare" directly at the emitter if pointed that way, concentrating the laser energy onto a small area. Factors Influencing Camera Vulnerability Not all cameras are equally susceptible, and not every encounter with LiDAR will result in damage. Several factors play a role: Laser Wavelength: Different LiDAR systems use different wavelengths of infrared light. Camera sensors might be more or less sensitive to these specific wavelengths. Camera Filtering: Many digital cameras incorporate infrared (IR) cut filters to improve image quality by blocking unwanted IR light. However, the effectiveness of these filters can vary, and some may not adequately block the specific wavelengths used by automotive LiDAR . The absence of robust filtering increases the risk. Exposure Intensity and Duration: Directly pointing a camera lens at an active LiDAR emitter, especially at close range and for an extended period, significantly increases the risk compared to brief, incidental exposure from a distance. LiDAR System Design: The power output, pulse frequency, and scanning pattern of the specific LiDAR unit can also influence the potential for causing damage. The convergence of powerful, invisible lasers in cars and highly sensitive, often unfiltered (to specific IR wavelengths) sensors in phones creates this potential for damage. It's an unintended consequence of deploying sophisticated sensing technology. Navigating the Risk: Awareness is Key The warnings circulating about the Volvo EX90 serve as a specific example of a broader issue concerning vehicles equipped with LiDAR. While this technology is vital for advancing vehicle safety and autonomy, users should be aware of the potential risk to their electronic devices. This doesn't mean you should panic every time you see a modern car. The risk is highest when actively filming a vehicle with an operating LiDAR system at close range, potentially pointing the camera directly at the sensor units (often located in the grille, bumper, or near the windshield). Precautions: Avoid pointing your camera directly at suspected LiDAR emitters on vehicles, especially for extended periods. Be particularly cautious when filming vehicles known to have advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) or autonomous features up close. If you notice unusual artifacts (spots, lines) appearing in your photos or videos after filming vehicles, have your camera sensor checked. As LiDAR becomes more ubiquitous in the automotive landscape, understanding its interaction with other technologies, like the cameras we carry daily, is essential. While designed for safety on the road, exercising a little caution when filming can prevent costly damage to your personal devices.
