LiDAR maps faster in the dark, but camera navigation is slimmer and sees objects

LiDAR maps faster in the dark, but camera navigation is slimmer and sees objects

Robot vacuum navigation comes in two flavors: LiDAR (a spinning laser that maps the room) and camera-based (visual SLAM that identifies objects). LiDAR is faster, works perfectly in low light, and produces highly accurate maps — but the spinning laser tower adds height to the robot, making it harder to fit under low furniture. Camera-based nav keeps the robot slimmer and can recognize specific objects like cables or shoes, but it struggles in very dark rooms. Both systems work well today, so your choice comes down to furniture clearance and whether you robot-vacuum at night.