Heads Up: Volvo’s Lidar Could Turn Your Phone Into a Burnt‑Out Rubbish
What the Heck is Lidar?
Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) is a fancy gadget that fires invisible infrared laser pulses to build a 3‑D map of a vehicle’s surroundings. Think of it like a super‑sensitive future‑sight that helps cars see what’s in front of them without bumping into things.
The Red‑Flag Moment
Reddit—yes, the place where everyone else thinks you’re funny—gives us a cautionary tale. A user named Jeguetelli posted a video on the r/Volvo subreddit that shows a smartphone camera’s sensor not just taking a bad picture, but getting fired up literally.
Why the Volvo EX90 Is So Special
- Fully electric, 7‑seat luxury SUV.
- Volvo’s flagship entry into the electric‑car game.
- Front‑mounted high‑power lidar that emits those rare invisible beams.
The Shocking Result
In the clip, Jeguetelli films the front lidar while holding his phone up like a tourist giving a “shot” of the car. The outcome? The phone’s image sensor goes into a fiery blaze—literally!
Picture This: A Quick Remembrance
“Never film the new EX90 because you’ll break your cell camera. Lidar lasers burn your camera.” The Reddit poster’s warning was part science, part cautionary tale. And for the record, it’s best to don’t try that again.
What to Keep in Mind
- High‑power lidar emits invisible infrared; the eyes can’t see it, but your phone can.
- Camera sensors are like delicate chemistry labs—excessive heat or laser exposure can cook them out.
- If you’re filming a car with lidar, keep a safe distance or better yet, stay off the phone camera.
Bottom Line
Next time you’re about to snap a photo of the sleek Volvo EX90, think twice. Your phone isn’t built to handle the fan‑fast laser beams. Let the future‑sight stay in the car—maybe take a picture from outside instead.
When Lidar Meets Your Phone: A Comedy of Errors
Picture This
Volvo’s new EX90 comes with a shiny laser-based lidar that aims to guide the car around invisible obstacles. But, as The Drive notes, that tech carries a small scar‑wave—literally—of danger for anyone who looks straight at it with their phone camera.
Why Saying Nothing’s Wrong is Still Wrong
- Volvo drops a warning on its website: “Never point a camera directly at the lidar. It’s an infrared laser that could cause serious camera damage.”
- The warning isn’t a gripe about Volvo’s design. It’s a general heads‑up for everyone using lidar‑enabled cars.
- Yet the confusion remains: some say it could mess up your backup camera if a lidar car tail‑gates you.
Reddit Disaster
A Reddit user posted, “Would this damage your car’s backup camera if a Lidar-equipped car tailgates you?” and another replied, “Thank God for Apple Care!” The comments show how people are reacting—half serious, half in disbelief.
Industry Feud: LiDAR vs. Camera
- Tesla presides over the debate with a camera-only policy, claiming advanced AI can handle the full driving experience.
- Elon Musk famously dismisses LiDAR as a “crutch.” He argues it holds back continuous progress toward full autonomy.
- Opponents argue LiDAR offers vital redundancy, especially for high‑risk applications like robotaxis.
What’s At Stake?
Because LiDAR emits infrared beams, pointing your phone camera at it could permanently damage the sensor. That’s why the tech community urges public service warnings: avoid snapping selfies or recording vlogs while staring directly at any lidar-equipped vehicle.
Conclusion & a Dash of Humor
In the race to driverless freedom, one thing remains clear: shoot your camera away from the laser like you’d keep your cat away from a vacuum cleaner. Stay playful, stay safe, and maybe keep your focus on the open road rather than the headlines.