# SLAMTEC RPLiDAR A1

> 360-degree 2D laser scanner with 12m range and 8000 samples per second. Widely used for ROS robotics, SLAM mapping, and autonomous navigation applications.

## Quick Facts

- **Brand:** SLAMTEC
- **Board Type:** sensor-module
- **Price:** ~$99
- **Product Readiness:** consumer
- **CPU:** Embedded MCU (proprietary)
- **CPU Architecture:** ARM
- **CPU Cores:** 1
- **RAM:** N/A (proprietary)
- **Flash:** N/A (proprietary firmware)
- **Power:** 5V via USB or UART adapter
- **Operating Voltage:** 5V

## Open Source

- **Firmware:** No
- **Schematics:** No
- **PCB Layout:** No

## Use Cases

- robotics
- slam-mapping
- ros
- autonomous-vehicle
- obstacle-avoidance

## Components

- **Laser Rangefinder** (sensor): Infrared laser triangulation rangefinder providing 12m range at 8000 samples/sec for 2D point cloud generation — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.slamtec.com%2Fen%2FLidar%2FA1Spec&ref=openhardware.directory&product=slamtec-rplidar-a1&source=md-export)
- **Brushless DC Motor** (motor): Brushless DC motor that spins the laser assembly at 5.5Hz for full 360-degree scanning, speed adjustable via PWM — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.slamtec.com%2Fen%2FLidar%2FA1Spec&ref=openhardware.directory&product=slamtec-rplidar-a1&source=md-export)

## Protocols

- **UART**
- **USB**

## Description

## Overview

The SLAMTEC RPLiDAR A1 is a low-cost 360-degree 2D laser range scanner (LiDAR) capable of performing 360-degree omnidirectional laser range scanning at up to 8000 samples per second. It produces a 2D point cloud map of the surrounding environment, making it ideal for SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) applications.

## Key Features

- **360-degree scanning** with a single laser rangefinder
- **12-meter range** for indoor mapping and navigation
- **8000 samples/sec** scan rate for high-resolution point clouds
- **5.5 Hz rotational speed** (adjustable via PWM)
- Mechanical rotation design with brushless DC motor
- Compatible with ROS (Robot Operating System)
- UART serial interface for easy integration
- Compact and lightweight for mobile robot platforms

## Common Applications

- Robot navigation and obstacle avoidance
- Indoor mapping and floor plan generation
- SLAM algorithm development and research
- Autonomous vehicle prototyping
- Service robot platforms
- Educational robotics projects

## Getting Started

Connect the RPLiDAR A1 to your system via the included USB adapter or directly through UART. The sensor is supported by the official SLAMTEC ROS node (`rplidar_ros`) and can be used with popular robotics frameworks like ROS, ROS2, and Arduino.

## Where to Buy

- [OpenELAB](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fopenelab.io%2Fproducts%2Fwaveshare-slamtec-rplidar-a1-laser-sensor&ref=openhardware.directory&product=slamtec-rplidar-a1&source=md-export) — $99

## Resources

- [product](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.slamtec.com%2Fen%2FLidar%2FA1&ref=openhardware.directory&product=slamtec-rplidar-a1&source=md-export)
- [github](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2FSlamtec%2Frplidar_ros&ref=openhardware.directory&product=slamtec-rplidar-a1&source=md-export)
- [datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slamtec.com%2Fen%2Flidar%2Fa1spec&ref=openhardware.directory&product=slamtec-rplidar-a1&source=md-export)

## Tags

`lidar`, `laser-scanner`, `slam`, `ros`, `robotics`, `360-degree`, `rangefinder`

## Images

![SLAMTEC RPLiDAR A1](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/slamtec-rplidar-a1/30c0c5099d21.jpg)

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