SICK is a German-based company that specializes in laser rangefinders (LRFs, also known as LIDARs). The early SICK variants were featured prominently on many robot platforms and were instrumental in the development of Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms. Within industry, SICK laser rangefinders are used extensively for safety and monitoring applications.
There are numerous SICK laser rangefinder variants; a few are highlighted below:
The SICK LMS 100 is a new laser rangefinder with improved form-factor, power requirements, etc. that is well-tailored to robotic applications; in many ways, it seems to be SICK's strategic response to the Hokuyo line of compact laser rangefinders. The SICK LMS 100 costs approximately $5000, and sports a 50 Hz scan rate over a 270° range, with 0.25° angular resolution. Their sensing range is 18 meters (at 10% reflectivity, max range of 20 meters), with an error of about 20mm. This new form factor is more compact (10.6 x 10.2 x 15.2 cm), weighing in at only 1.1kg. They require approximately 12 Watts of power, operating off on a 10.9-30.0VDC supply.
The SICK LMS 291 is the latest variant of SICK "coffee-pot" laser rangefinders, which comes in a characteristic beige color. The SICK LMS 291 costs approximately $6000, and sports a 75 Hz scan rate over 180° range, with 0.25° angular resolution. Their sensing range is 30 meters (at 10% reflectivity, max range of 80 meters), with an error of about 10mm. Thanks to a rugged metal housing, the LMS 291 is rather bulky (18.5 x 15.6 x 21.0 cm), weighing in at approximately 4.5kg. They require approximately 20 Watts of power, operating off on a 24VDC supply.