3 ms·
The laser in the article is on the order of tens of milliwatts. Even directly into your eye would not damage it. It would be painful, especially if it was in
by hwillis 9y ago
The laser in the article is on the order of tens of milliwatts. Even directly into your eye would not damage it. It would be painful, especially if it was in a visible wavelength, but the laser spot from a lidar is in one location for less than a microsecond.
In terms of direct heating, tens of milliwatts isn't even enough to really make a human-detectable rise.
- kwhitefoot 9y ago> is in one location for less than a microsecond When it is working properly.
- jhall1468 9y agoAnd self-diagnostics will know when it isn't.
- hwillis 9y agoSame with elevators, microwaves, airbags, and in fact literally anything that plugs into the wall. 120 volts can kill you if you contact it. The laser is eye-safe, meaning you can look directly at it continuously and be fine. Though, if you did, you would deserve injury. Kind of like sticking your hand in a blender. The device will not manage to malfunction and miraculously shoot you in the eye from meters away.
- jhall1468 9y agoWould it even be painful at that wavelength?
- hwillis 9y agoNo, although lasers can sometimes be dangerous without being painful. Even if they aren't, by the time it hurts it is too late.