Powerful LiDAR Systems in Cars Can Cause Irreparable Damage to Smartphone Cameras

Leading car manufacturers, such as Volvo, have integrated advanced LiDAR camera systems into their vehicles. These systems utilize rapid infrared (IR) light pulses to create a highly accurate 3D perception of the car’s environment. While IR light is not visible to the human eye, an interesting phenomenon occurs when you aim a smartphone camera at a LiDAR system: intense glitching displays on the phone’s viewfinder, often resulting in severe and potentially irreversible damage to the device’s sensor.

CMOS Sensors in Smartphones Display Sensitivity to High-powered IR Light

A recent video shared by user @Rainmaker1973 on X showcased a Volvo EX90 fitted with a LiDAR unit on its roof. This cutting-edge addition transforms the vehicle’s functionality, allowing it to feature an Advanced Driver-Assistance System (ADAS).This technology underpins capabilities such as emergency braking, collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control. The system skillfully identifies various objects, including pedestrians, cyclists, and road hazards. However, it also poses a risk to smartphone cameras, as illustrated in the video.

In the footage, the smartphone’s viewfinder exhibited severe glitching, appearing with pinkish-purple artifacts resembling stars. This glitching occurs due to exposure of the camera sensor to high-powered IR lasers, typically emitted at a wavelength of 1, 550 nanometers. Prolonged exposure can lead to permanently damaged pixels within the camera sensor. Since mobile device CMOS sensors are not engineered to handle intense beams of light designed to bounce off distant objects, they can generate excess heat and compromise the sensor’s integrity.

Filming this car’s LiDAR system breaks the phone camerapic.twitter.com/PVMGhpvzbt

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) January 16, 2026

For those curious about the safety of the Volvo EX90’s LiDAR system regarding human eyesight, there is no cause for concern. Vehicles equipped with this technology are classified as Class 1 lasers and are safe for normal use, as the power levels are too low to cause eye damage; the IR light at 1, 550 nanometers is blocked before it can reach the retina. However, it is essential to note that camera sensors remain vulnerable to direct exposure. If you have access to a spare smartphone, experimentation may be tempting, but it is advisable to keep your primary device safe from such risks.

News Source: @Rainmaker1973

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