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Matterport for iPhone Now Supports LiDAR

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The concept behind LiDAR has been around since the 1960s and was used early on by NASA in its development of exploratory spacecraft. Now, when you pair Apple’s new iPhone 12 Pro Max with LiDAR support and Matterport for iPhone, you can literally capitalize on the space-age technology for your 3D virtual tours.


How does LiDAR work?


LiDAR, short for Light Detection and Ranging, is a type of 3D laser scanning. It is similar to sonar or radar, only instead of sending out sound waves (sonar) or electromagnetic waves (radar) to measure an object in the distance, LiDAR uses a laser to light up a targeted object. The laser light reflects off of the target and returns to a sensor. Differences in the return times and wavelengths of light are measured and are used to make digital 3D representations of the target.


Besides its use in the space program, LiDAR has many other applications. For instance, LiDAR is the “eye” of many autonomous vehicles. It allows a vehicle to see in all directions simultaneously and to know the precise distances of all objects in relation to itself. LiDAR is also used in agriculture to create 3D elevation maps of land. Akin to drone mapping, the technology is used to identify areas that require more or less water or fertilizer, which helps farmers save on costs. 3D modeling with LiDAR can also be used for river surveys. The lasers can “see” beneath the surface of the water to map out the terrain. With that information, scientists can understand the flow of the water and monitor flood plains. LiDAR is used to detect pollution, to aid in archeology, to capture and model building structures, and of course, LiDAR is used for 3D scanning in real estate as well.


What are the advantages of LiDAR with Matterport for iPhone?


If you are going to create a “digital twin” of a home, business, or any other space, the Matterport Pro2 camera is considered to be the gold standard for 3D capture. That standard comes with a hefty price tag. When the precision of a Pro2 is required, many agents opt instead to contract a professional photography service for their 3D tours rather than lay out more than $3K on a camera. Of course, there are other, less expensive alternatives on the market, including the Ricoh Theta and the Insta360 One R. Both are 3D cameras that are compatible with Matterport.


But there are times when a Pro2 or dedicated 360 degree camera is not a feasible option, or when you would simply like to dip your toes into the water rather than dive headfirst into 3D capture. At those times, an iPhone is all you need – without having to make another costly commitment.


In early 2020, Matterport announced a “revolutionary way to capture physical spaces in immersive 3D” with nothing but the phone in your pocket. Currently in beta form, Matterport for iPhone presents a new 3D capture method that comes bundled with the latest version of the Matterport Capture App. For the first time, a user could create an immersive experience without needing expensive equipment (well, outside the cost of the phone) and create a Matterport digital twin of any space. With Matterport for iPhone, scanning a home for a 3D virtual tour is as easy as opening up an app, signing in to your account, and pressing a button to start a scan.


Now, with the advent of the iPhone 12 Pro Max (along with the new iPad Pro), you can make your Matterport showcase even better.


One of the benefits of a Pro2 camera is its active depth sensing and computer aided vision technology. Typically, an iPhone takes 2D photos which, when uploaded to Matterport’s Cortex AI platform, are stitched together to create a realistic 3D representation of the space. The iPhone 12 Pro Max, on the other hand, uses LiDAR to scan in 3D. The depth-scanning LiDAR sensor makes it possible to scan with more detail and accuracy. 


How accurate is LiDAR? Well, where non-LiDAR scans are accurate within a five percent range, scans using LiDAR boast accuracy within one percent. That is quite an upgrade.


How do I use Matterport on my iPhone?


To perform a scan and create a 3D home tour with your iPhone, all you have to do is follow a few easy steps.


First, you will need to create a Matterport account. You can sign up online or through the app once you download it.


Download the latest version of the Matterport Capture for iOS app. You will need an iPhone 6s (or an iPad Air 2) or higher model.


Open the app, sign in to your account (or set one up), and initiate a new scan by tapping on the + button on screen.


You can edit the property address information in the New Job window that appears and save the project.


Matterport for iPhone offers two scanning modes, “simple” and “complete”. The latter uses more 360 degree rotational scans than the former and produces fuller, clearer images over a wider field of view.


Once you have scanned your first location in a building, move to the next and repeat the process.


When you are finished, upload your scan to the Matterport Cloud, where their advanced Cortex AI software will build a completed virtual tour, the digital twin of your space.


Some agents will want to handle all of their photography needs on their own, including 3D virtual tours. That means buying all the gear and learning the ropes. Others will rather defer to a professional photography service. If you are not sure whether you want to hire a 3D virtual tour service or do it yourself, Matterport for iPhone with LiDAR support may be your ticket to find out.

Meet Victor Coll, a seasoned expert in the art of in-bound content marketing. With a proven track record in crafting winning content strategies, Victor excels in attracting and engaging audiences organically. His proficiency extends to optimizing content for maximum impact, resulting in increased brand visibility and audience retention.   Victor's dedication to the art of in-bound content marketing has helped businesses achieve remarkable growth. Join him as he shares invaluable insights and strategies to empower your content marketing efforts and drive meaningful connections with your target audience.

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