Sony has announced the AS-DT1, a brand-new miniature LiDAR depth sensor that’s packed with advanced tech and designed to make your drone missions smarter, faster, and more precise.
Let’s break it down — this little box is just about 1.14 inches wide and weighs only 1.76 ounces. That’s less than a slice of bread. But don’t let the size fool you. The AS-DT1 is built with Sony’s Direct Time of Flight (dToF) technology, and it delivers serious performance.
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So what’s inside this tiny titan? The AS-DT1 is equipped with a SPAD sensor (Single Photon Avalanche Diode), which allows it to measure distance using light pulses — even in tough environments. We’re talking about measuring in three dimensions — length, width, and depth — with pinpoint accuracy.
Need to fly in a warehouse with reflective floors? Or inspect a bridge under direct sunlight? This sensor’s got your back. It can detect low-contrast, low-reflectivity, even floating objects, making it especially useful for drones operating in unpredictable real-world conditions.
Sony says its new sensor can measure distances up to 40 meters (131 feet) indoors, and still hit 20 meters (66 feet) outdoors, even on a bright summer day. That’s impressive for something the size of a golf ball. Plus, it can measure with a ±5 cm margin at 10 meters, meaning you can trust it to deliver the right data whether you’re mapping terrain or flying close to infrastructure.
For drone pilots doing inspections, surveys, or photogrammetry, this level of precision could save time and battery — and maybe even your drone.
The AS-DT1’s aluminum alloy housing makes it tough enough to handle outdoor use but light enough that it won’t weigh your drone down. This balance is crucial when every gram counts on flight time.
Whether you’re working with autonomous drones, DIY builds, or inspection rigs that need compact sensors, this one’s made to slide in with ease. It’s especially attractive for use cases in infrastructure inspection, agriculture, warehouse mapping, or first responder support — anywhere you need tight turns and tight tolerances.
Sony says the AS-DT1 will be commercially available in Spring 2026, but drone geeks in the US will get an early peek at it during XPONENTIAL 2025 in Houston (May 20–22). So if you’re heading there, you’ll want to swing by their booth and check it out.
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