Another problem has emerged for Volvo's flagship EX90. It now turns out that the Lidar sensor in the cars destroys iPhones at close range.
Electric cars, like the Volvo EX90, are equipped with advanced technology. One of these is Lidar, a laser sensor that helps the car navigate. However, it has emerged that this technology can have unintended consequences for other devices, such as an iPhone.
Volvo confirms that its Lidar technology installed in its new EX90 model can potentially cause damage to cameras, including those found in iPhones.
This is what Volvo's Swedish press manager writes to the media outlet Carup.
Several independent sources have reported issues with their mobile cameras after being near the EX90's Lidar sensor.
A journalist, William Cha, says his iPhone's camera was damaged when he tried to film the EX90's light radar at close range. The images from the camera were subsequently degraded.
In a Facebook post, William Cha wrote: “Last week, when the EX90 Rider Sensor was being filmed, an iPhone camera’s CMOS image sensor was burned by a laser. It is disappointing that consumers were not informed of these issues in advance.”
He has since received confirmation from Volvo Cars that they will cover the repair costs for his iPhone, as the regular warranty does not cover damage caused by lasers.
– We are aware of the risk of damage to smartphone camera lenses when taking close-up images of a lidar.
– Taking close-up photos of a lidar poses an inherent risk of damaging the lens of some smartphone cameras.
– The wavelength of 1550 Nm, at which the Iris lidar on the EX90 operates, does not pose a safety risk to the human eye. That is why we have chosen this type of lidar and no other, says Volvo.
Another person who has also experienced problems with his iPhone after 'close contact' with a Lidar sensor is Hungarian YouTuber Andras Horvath.
Although he does not mention the Volvo EX90 specifically, he had shortly before published a video about that particular car.
Horvath is concerned about what could happen when cars with Lidar sensors drive on the roads. And whether they could potentially damage other cameras in traffic.
Volvo Cars has confirmed in a statement to Carup that they are aware of the risk of damage to camera sensors when taking close-up photos of an active Lidar sensor. The car brand therefore recommends avoiding pointing cameras directly at the sensor.
– Regarding the EX90's lidar, we are aware of the risk of damage to camera sensors. Taking direct close-up images of a lidar poses a risk of damage to the sensor on some cameras.
– The wavelength of 1550 nm, which the 'Iris lidar' on the EX90 works with, does not pose any safety risk to the human eye.
– That is why we have chosen this type of lidar and no other. The recommendation is to avoid pointing a camera directly at an active lidar sensor. The intense laser light emitted by the lidar can potentially damage the camera sensor or affect its performance, says Volvo's Swedish press manager.
It is known that some Lidar systems can cause damage to cameras. Volvo uses a Lidar sensor from Luminar, which is known for its high power, allowing the car to detect objects hundreds of meters away.
It is not yet known how this will affect cameras in other cars, for example in parking lots.
