The World Robot Conference 2025 in Beijing set the stage for Orbbec’s latest release – the Pulsar ME450. Designed to streamline operations across diverse robotic tasks, this cutting-edge 3D lidar sensor lets you switch scanning modes seamlessly, doing away with the need for multiple devices.
At its heart, the Pulsar ME450 is a direct time-of-flight (dToF) sensor that pairs a MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) mirror with a motor. This clever combination offers configurable scanning patterns and an adjustable vertical field of view. Guo Wei, who leads Orbbec’s lidar research and development, explains: “The Pulsar ME450 is the first multi-pattern lidar to combine high-precision MEMS pitch scanning with motorized azimuth control. By moving past the limitations of single-mode sensors, we’re providing a tool that’s both flexible and reliable when it comes to capturing a robot’s environment.”
Since its founding in 2013 in Shenzhen, China, Orbbec has been at the forefront of sensor technology. Whether it’s structured light, stereo vision, time-of-flight, or lidar, their products are integral to sectors ranging from manufacturing and logistics to retail, healthcare, and fitness. Their broad product range even supports customised OEM projects, making integration and scalability easier for developers.
The Pulsar ME450’s ability to toggle between non-repetitive, non-dense repetitive, and dense repetitive scanning modes is particularly noteworthy. If you’ve ever wrestled with the challenge of choosing a single sensor for both robust navigation and detailed 3D reconstruction, you’ll appreciate the efficiency this device offers. Reduced system complexity leads to smoother integration and, ultimately, a lower total cost of ownership.
Beyond its versatile scanning capabilities, the sensor boasts millimetre-level precision for high-fidelity 3D reconstruction. Enhanced reflectivity detection means you can rely on stable performance even when dealing with a variety of materials and challenging environmental conditions.
Orbbec has been a leader in China’s robotics sensor market since 2016, capturing over 70% of the market share in the country’s service robot 3D vision sensor segment by 2023. With a global presence that spans nearly 100 countries and hundreds of robotics companies, Orbbec’s influence is unmistakable.
Building on deep research in single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) technology and depth perception, Orbbec has a strong track record. Recent milestones include launching the MS200 lidar sensor in 2022 and the LS635 in 2024 – a high-performance SPAD system-on-chip (SoC) that utilises advanced 3D stacking technology. Their latest Pulsar SL450, which debuted at ProMat 2025, further demonstrates their commitment to enhancing robotic perception and empowering the next wave of embodied AI.
