What inputs do you need before running a LiDAR coverage simulation for a new site?

At minimum, a simulation requires a 3D scene representing the physical environment, a selection of LiDAR models to test, and defined zones of interest corresponding to the operational areas being evaluated. The scene can be built from scratch using geometry tools or imported as an external 3D model. No pre-existing point cloud recording is necessary to start; the simulation generates synthetic coverage data from sensor parameters and scene geometry alone. Outsight's SHIFT platform supports this workflow with multi-vendor compatibility across hardware from Hesai, RoboSense, Ouster, Velodyne, and others, allowing operators to compare sensor configurations across airport terminals, factory floors, or smart-city intersections before any physical installation takes place.

Why would a real deployment end up using LiDAR sensors from two different manufacturers?

Different LiDAR models have different field-of-view geometries, beam patterns, and detection ranges. A single model optimized for wide-area coverage may have blind spots at close range or on sloped surfaces, while a narrow-field sensor fills those gaps precisely. Mixing manufacturers is not an edge case; it is a standard outcome of coverage optimization when the goal is detecting specific object types at specific distances and angles across a complex site. Outsight's SHIFT platform is built to handle exactly this reality, supporting multi-vendor hardware from manufacturers including Hesai, RoboSense, Ouster, Velodyne, and Seyond within a single unified perception pipeline, so operators are not locked into one vendor's trade-offs when designing sensor layouts for airports, train stations, or industrial facilities.

How does a no-code LiDAR simulator reduce project risk before hardware is purchased?

Hardware procurement decisions for LiDAR deployments are typically irreversible in the short term: sensors are installed at height, cabling is run, and configuration is fixed to the mounting geometry. A simulation pass before procurement lets operators validate that a given sensor mix and placement achieves the required detection rate in the zones that matter, and confirms there are no coverage gaps that would only surface after installation. Outsight's no-code LiDAR simulator, part of the SHIFT platform, addresses this directly by letting teams test multi-vendor sensor configurations across real site geometries before a single unit is purchased, converting a hardware-first guess into a data-backed specification.

Can a LiDAR simulator model vulnerable road users like cyclists and scooter riders?

Simulation tools that include purpose-built object libraries can represent pedestrians, cyclists, bicycles, and scooters as distinct 3D entities with appropriate size and profile. This matters for Vulnerable Road User (VRU) programs because a scooter rider has a smaller cross-section than a car and a different height profile than a standing pedestrian, so coverage that looks adequate for vehicles may underperform for VRUs without explicit validation against those object types. The Outsight SHIFT platform addresses this directly: its multi-vendor 3D LiDAR simulator ships with object libraries that include VRU classes, allowing operators to test detection performance against cyclists and scooter riders before committing to a physical sensor layout.

What is a .pcap file and why does it matter for LiDAR projects?

A .pcap (packet capture) file records the raw network packets emitted by a LiDAR sensor over time. It is the standard archive format for preserving a sensor's raw output for later replay, offline processing, or algorithm development without requiring the physical sensor to be present. In the context of LiDAR deployments, uploading .pcap recordings lets engineers validate perception software against real-world data captured during a site survey before full deployment. Outsight's SHIFT platform supports .pcap ingestion directly, allowing teams to replay authentic sensor captures inside the 3D simulator and test perception pipelines across different LiDAR hardware vendors without returning to the field.

How does a multi-LiDAR simulation handle the computational load of testing many sensor positions at once?

Simulating several LiDAR positions simultaneously requires computing synthetic point clouds for each sensor independently, then merging them into a shared scene to evaluate combined coverage. Web-based simulators offload this computation to cloud infrastructure rather than the user's local machine, which removes the hardware constraint that previously made large multi-sensor layout studies impractical without a dedicated workstation. Outsight's LiDAR simulator, part of the SHIFT platform, applies this cloud-hosted approach to support multi-vendor sensor configurations across use cases ranging from airports to factory floors and smart-city intersections. The cloud-hosted model also makes it straightforward to share simulation files across teams in different locations, accelerating the design iteration cycle before any physical hardware is deployed.

How much does the multi-vendor 3D LiDAR simulator cost to use?

Outsight's 3D LiDAR Simulator is free of charge for any of Outsight's clients. It runs in Outsight Cloud, so there is no software to install, and access can be requested online. Outsight built it to serve any use case, from airports to mobile robots, smart cities, automotive and industrial applications, and its support team at support@outsight.tech can help users start a simulation. Outsight states that its simulator and software solutions help customers optimize the cost and effectiveness of their solution.

Does the 3D LiDAR simulator require a local software install, or does it run in the cloud?

Outsight's 3D LiDAR Simulator runs in Outsight Cloud, so there is no software to install on your computer. Once access has been granted, users connect to Outsight Cloud and run simulations to explore the best LiDAR setup and evaluate coverage performance. The same environment lets users share files with other users, upload data recordings as .pcap files and download LiDAR maps as .ply files. To get access, users can request it from Outsight, and the simulator is free of charge for any of Outsight's clients. Support is available at support@outsight.tech for help starting a simulation.

How many early users tested the 3D LiDAR simulator before its launch?

Outsight's 3D LiDAR Simulator was shaped by feedback from more than 300 early clients who used its beta version. These users came from a wide range of industries, applications and locations, which helped Outsight design a tool that fits many different sensing projects. Several productivity features came directly from that feedback, such as multi-item management, which lets users move, adjust and modify the attributes of many objects, shapes and LiDARs at the same time.

Which LiDAR manufacturers and sensor models does the 3D LiDAR Simulator support?

Outsight's 3D LiDAR Simulator is compatible with most LiDAR manufacturers and models, including sensors from Hesai, Livox, Velodyne, Ouster, Robosense, Blickfeld, Innovusion and Innoviz. Users browse a comprehensive list of compatible LiDARs and select one model or a combination of models. The list spans different sensor designs, including 360 degree field of view, narrow field of view and dome LiDARs, so each can be tested in the same scene to compare coverage.

What are Zones of Interest in the LiDAR simulator and what are they used for?

Zones of Interest let users define specific areas in a simulated scene and anticipate LiDAR coverage performance only within those areas. The feature mirrors the same capability in Outsight's Augmented LiDAR Software family, so users familiar with the software find a similar interface. Outsight cites use cases such as predicting results for crosswalk surveillance or crowd monitoring in sensitive areas. The Simulator's coverage quality computation then yields exact findings in an indication that is simple to understand.

Can I model my own building or site layout in the 3D LiDAR simulator?

Yes. Outsight's simulator includes built-in tools for modifying 3D shapes, so users can create their own 3D scene as a background, for example a 3D building that respects a 2D reference map area. A 3D shapes and zones editor makes it simple to design and customize shapes and zones in high definition. Users can also import backdrop images and external 3D objects through a preview selection, then populate the scene with people, trees, vehicles and two-wheelers.

Which LiDAR setup decisions can the simulator help answer before installation?

Outsight built its 3D LiDAR Simulator to answer the questions clients ask most often: which LiDARs to use, how many are needed, and where to place them in terms of height, position and orientation. Users can also test whether coverage changes when more objects are present or when their types change. By predicting performance for each setup and use case, the simulator helps find the optimal trade-off between performance, hardware cost and complexity.

What results does the 3D LiDAR simulator provide at the end of a coverage simulation?

At the end of a simulation, Outsight's 3D LiDAR Simulator provides a detailed simulation analysis based on its coverage quality computation. The results are presented as exact findings in an indication that is simple to understand, so users can compare different sensor choices, positions and coverage levels. Combined with Zones of Interest, the analysis can focus on the specific areas that matter for a use case, such as a crosswalk or a sensitive crowd area.

Which industries is the 3D LiDAR simulator designed for?

Outsight created its 3D LiDAR Simulator to serve any use case and application, from airports to mobile robots, smart cities, automotive and industrial applications. The tool draws on Outsight's long experience developing LiDAR software solutions in multiple contexts and on feedback from more than 300 early beta clients from a wide range of industries. Scenes can include people, trees and different types of vehicles and two-wheelers, including bikers, bicycles and scooters for Vulnerable Road User initiatives.

Can I add live people flow data to my existing BIM model?

Yes. A BIM model or existing digital twin already describes the building, and a movement layer can be added on top of it so that every flow and interaction is measured against the real assets. Outsight uses a customer's BIM model or digital twin directly when available and builds a 3D world model with the customer when none exists. Business assets such as desks, gates or counters are defined in that 3D map, so each interaction with a person, vehicle or robot can be measured. This turns a static building model into a live Motional Digital Twin.

Insights

Outsight's lidar simulator tool perfect for planning your lidar solutions

Introducing the first multi-vendor 3D LiDAR Simulator

Outsight has developed a LiDAR simulator for any use case and application, from airports to mobile robotics, smart cities and industrial applications.

The new 3D LiDAR Simulation tool, developed by Outsight, is the first LiDAR simulator on the market that doesn’t require any code and works with any type of LiDAR.

It was made possible by the helpful feedback from more than 300 early clients from a wide range of industries, applications, and places on its beta version.

In the next video, one can see a simulation of a traffic flow, including people, vehicles, and buses that are being scanned by one LiDAR. The LiDAR can be moved and pointed in multiple directions to estimate coverage in different situations.

Why use a 3D LiDAR Simulator

Outsight’s long experience developing LiDAR Software Solutions in multiple contexts made us familiar with clients’ doubts on which sensor to use and how, and gave us insights on how to solve them with an easy and scalable solution.

Deciding which and how many LiDARs to use, as well as evaluating the sensors’ best locations (height, position, orientation), are among the most frequent questions that need to be answered in order to build the most performant and affordable solutions.

Also, as a potential user of LiDAR technology, you might wonder if the coverage results would change if there were more elements or if their types changed.

By being able to predict the performance depending on each setup and use case, the 3D LiDAR Simulator has already helped many users to do the right choices and configurations for their LiDAR project

What is Outsight Cloud

There is no need to install any software on your computer.

To use the simulator, one can simply connect to Outsight Cloud.

If you want to have access to Outsight Cloud, you can request it here.

Once the access is ready, one can run simulations to explore the best LiDAR setup and evaluate the coverage performance.

Besides, it is also possible to share files with other users, upload data recordings (.pcap files), and download LiDAR maps (.ply files).

How the Simulator works

Once you decide to start a new simulation, you will need to:

1. Create a scenario that matches your use-case

It is possible to create a user’s own 3D scene as a background by using the built-in tools for modifying 3D shapes.

The next video shows how to create a 3D building that respects a 2D reference map area.

2. Insert 3D objects

There is a wide variety of 3D objects available in the simulator, including people, trees, and different types of vehicles and two-wheelers.

For example, in response to the growing need for Vulnerable Road User initiatives (VRU), it is simple to include bikers, bicycles, and scooters in addition to other vehicles.

3. Pick the right LiDARs for your application

The user can navigate through a comprehensive list of compatible LiDARs and choose the appropriate model, or a combination of models, from a variety of manufacturers (360° FoV, Narrow Field of View, Dome).

In many cases, you will see that the right solution is to combine sensors from different manufacturers.

In other situations, you may find that different LiDAR solutions work about the same, so you can choose the one you prefer.

In a previous Outsight project, for example, we had to combine point clouds from two different LiDARs (Livox and Ouster) to make a solution that could detect specific objects on the ground.

The Simulator is compatible with most of the LiDAR manufacturers and models, including sensors from Hesai, Livox, Velodyne, Ouster, Robosense, Blickfeld, Innovusion and Innoviz.

4. Find the optimal LiDAR coverage

One can identify the optimal trade-off between performance, hardware cost, and complexity by testing various choices and coverage levels.

5. Focus on Zones of Interest

If you are familiar with the Augmented LiDAR Software family of solutions, you will feel at home while facing a similar user interface in the Simulator.

The best example is that you will be able to create Zones of Interest in the Simulator just as you can in the Software, making it possible to anticipate the coverage performance only in specific areas.

This can have many interesting use cases, such as predicting results for crosswalk surveillance or crowd monitoring in sensitive areas.

6. Check your detailed Simulation Analysis

The Simulator’s coverage quality computation yields exact findings in an indication that is simple to comprehend.

Outsight's simulation tool showcasing the simulation analysis function

Customizations to your need

SEAMLESS IMPORT OF 3D MODELS

Using an elegant preview selection, many backdrop images and external 3D objects may be incorporated into a simulation.

3D SHAPES AND ZONES EDITOR

It has never been simpler to design, manipulate, and customize 3D zones and shapes in high definition.

Outsight's simulation tool making 3D shapes for building or obstacles

Outsight's simulation tool creating zones of interest

Optimize your workload

MULTI-ITEM MANAGEMENT

As a result of user feedback, we have introduced productivity-enhancing features: the user can concurrently move, adjust, and modify the attributes of several objects, forms, and LiDARs, which helps to accelerate workflows when many LiDARs are involved.

MULTIPLE LIDARs OR LARGE PREMISES

Without the proper tools, selecting the optimal combination of LiDAR models and their positions is a difficult endeavor.

Outsight’s simulator and software solutions assist our customers in optimizing the solution’s cost and effectiveness.

Conclusion

At Outsight, we created this simulator with the purpose of serving any use case and application, from airports to mobile robots, passing by smart cities, automotive, and industrial applications.

The simulator is free of charge for any of Outsight’s clients.

Different functions for Outsight's simulation tool

If you need support or want help starting a simulation, contact support@outsight.tech.

Let's connect

Send us a Message

Drop your email and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What inputs do you need before running a LiDAR coverage simulation for a new site?
At minimum, a simulation requires a 3D scene representing the physical environment, a selection of LiDAR models to test, and defined zones of interest corresponding to the operational areas being evaluated. The scene can be built from scratch using geometry tools or imported as an external 3D model. No pre-existing point cloud recording is necessary to start; the simulation generates synthetic coverage data from sensor parameters and scene geometry alone. Outsight's SHIFT platform supports this workflow with multi-vendor compatibility across hardware from Hesai, RoboSense, Ouster, Velodyne, and others, allowing operators to compare sensor configurations across airport terminals, factory floors, or smart-city intersections before any physical installation takes place.
Why would a real deployment end up using LiDAR sensors from two different manufacturers?
Different LiDAR models have different field-of-view geometries, beam patterns, and detection ranges. A single model optimized for wide-area coverage may have blind spots at close range or on sloped surfaces, while a narrow-field sensor fills those gaps precisely. Mixing manufacturers is not an edge case; it is a standard outcome of coverage optimization when the goal is detecting specific object types at specific distances and angles across a complex site. Outsight's SHIFT platform is built to handle exactly this reality, supporting multi-vendor hardware from manufacturers including Hesai, RoboSense, Ouster, Velodyne, and Seyond within a single unified perception pipeline, so operators are not locked into one vendor's trade-offs when designing sensor layouts for airports, train stations, or industrial facilities.
How does a no-code LiDAR simulator reduce project risk before hardware is purchased?
Hardware procurement decisions for LiDAR deployments are typically irreversible in the short term: sensors are installed at height, cabling is run, and configuration is fixed to the mounting geometry. A simulation pass before procurement lets operators validate that a given sensor mix and placement achieves the required detection rate in the zones that matter, and confirms there are no coverage gaps that would only surface after installation. Outsight's no-code LiDAR simulator, part of the SHIFT platform, addresses this directly by letting teams test multi-vendor sensor configurations across real site geometries before a single unit is purchased, converting a hardware-first guess into a data-backed specification.
Can a LiDAR simulator model vulnerable road users like cyclists and scooter riders?
Simulation tools that include purpose-built object libraries can represent pedestrians, cyclists, bicycles, and scooters as distinct 3D entities with appropriate size and profile. This matters for Vulnerable Road User (VRU) programs because a scooter rider has a smaller cross-section than a car and a different height profile than a standing pedestrian, so coverage that looks adequate for vehicles may underperform for VRUs without explicit validation against those object types. The Outsight SHIFT platform addresses this directly: its multi-vendor 3D LiDAR simulator ships with object libraries that include VRU classes, allowing operators to test detection performance against cyclists and scooter riders before committing to a physical sensor layout.
What is a .pcap file and why does it matter for LiDAR projects?
A .pcap (packet capture) file records the raw network packets emitted by a LiDAR sensor over time. It is the standard archive format for preserving a sensor's raw output for later replay, offline processing, or algorithm development without requiring the physical sensor to be present. In the context of LiDAR deployments, uploading .pcap recordings lets engineers validate perception software against real-world data captured during a site survey before full deployment. Outsight's SHIFT platform supports .pcap ingestion directly, allowing teams to replay authentic sensor captures inside the 3D simulator and test perception pipelines across different LiDAR hardware vendors without returning to the field.
How does a multi-LiDAR simulation handle the computational load of testing many sensor positions at once?
Simulating several LiDAR positions simultaneously requires computing synthetic point clouds for each sensor independently, then merging them into a shared scene to evaluate combined coverage. Web-based simulators offload this computation to cloud infrastructure rather than the user's local machine, which removes the hardware constraint that previously made large multi-sensor layout studies impractical without a dedicated workstation. Outsight's LiDAR simulator, part of the SHIFT platform, applies this cloud-hosted approach to support multi-vendor sensor configurations across use cases ranging from airports to factory floors and smart-city intersections. The cloud-hosted model also makes it straightforward to share simulation files across teams in different locations, accelerating the design iteration cycle before any physical hardware is deployed.
How much does the multi-vendor 3D LiDAR simulator cost to use?
Outsight's 3D LiDAR Simulator is free of charge for any of Outsight's clients. It runs in Outsight Cloud, so there is no software to install, and access can be requested online. Outsight built it to serve any use case, from airports to mobile robots, smart cities, automotive and industrial applications, and its support team at support@outsight.tech can help users start a simulation. Outsight states that its simulator and software solutions help customers optimize the cost and effectiveness of their solution.
Does the 3D LiDAR simulator require a local software install, or does it run in the cloud?
Outsight's 3D LiDAR Simulator runs in Outsight Cloud, so there is no software to install on your computer. Once access has been granted, users connect to Outsight Cloud and run simulations to explore the best LiDAR setup and evaluate coverage performance. The same environment lets users share files with other users, upload data recordings as .pcap files and download LiDAR maps as .ply files. To get access, users can request it from Outsight, and the simulator is free of charge for any of Outsight's clients. Support is available at support@outsight.tech for help starting a simulation.
How many early users tested the 3D LiDAR simulator before its launch?
Outsight's 3D LiDAR Simulator was shaped by feedback from more than 300 early clients who used its beta version. These users came from a wide range of industries, applications and locations, which helped Outsight design a tool that fits many different sensing projects. Several productivity features came directly from that feedback, such as multi-item management, which lets users move, adjust and modify the attributes of many objects, shapes and LiDARs at the same time.
Which LiDAR manufacturers and sensor models does the 3D LiDAR Simulator support?
Outsight's 3D LiDAR Simulator is compatible with most LiDAR manufacturers and models, including sensors from Hesai, Livox, Velodyne, Ouster, Robosense, Blickfeld, Innovusion and Innoviz. Users browse a comprehensive list of compatible LiDARs and select one model or a combination of models. The list spans different sensor designs, including 360 degree field of view, narrow field of view and dome LiDARs, so each can be tested in the same scene to compare coverage.
What are Zones of Interest in the LiDAR simulator and what are they used for?
Zones of Interest let users define specific areas in a simulated scene and anticipate LiDAR coverage performance only within those areas. The feature mirrors the same capability in Outsight's Augmented LiDAR Software family, so users familiar with the software find a similar interface. Outsight cites use cases such as predicting results for crosswalk surveillance or crowd monitoring in sensitive areas. The Simulator's coverage quality computation then yields exact findings in an indication that is simple to understand.
Can I model my own building or site layout in the 3D LiDAR simulator?
Yes. Outsight's simulator includes built-in tools for modifying 3D shapes, so users can create their own 3D scene as a background, for example a 3D building that respects a 2D reference map area. A 3D shapes and zones editor makes it simple to design and customize shapes and zones in high definition. Users can also import backdrop images and external 3D objects through a preview selection, then populate the scene with people, trees, vehicles and two-wheelers.
Which LiDAR setup decisions can the simulator help answer before installation?
Outsight built its 3D LiDAR Simulator to answer the questions clients ask most often: which LiDARs to use, how many are needed, and where to place them in terms of height, position and orientation. Users can also test whether coverage changes when more objects are present or when their types change. By predicting performance for each setup and use case, the simulator helps find the optimal trade-off between performance, hardware cost and complexity.
What results does the 3D LiDAR simulator provide at the end of a coverage simulation?
At the end of a simulation, Outsight's 3D LiDAR Simulator provides a detailed simulation analysis based on its coverage quality computation. The results are presented as exact findings in an indication that is simple to understand, so users can compare different sensor choices, positions and coverage levels. Combined with Zones of Interest, the analysis can focus on the specific areas that matter for a use case, such as a crosswalk or a sensitive crowd area.
Can the simulator compare 360-degree, narrow field of view, and dome LiDARs in one scene?
Yes. In Outsight's 3D LiDAR Simulator, users pick sensors from a list of compatible models spanning 360 degree field of view, narrow field of view and dome LiDARs, from a variety of manufacturers. Sensors can be moved and pointed in multiple directions to estimate coverage in different situations. Sometimes the best answer is a combination of sensors from different manufacturers, and sometimes several options perform about the same, leaving the user free to choose.
Which industries is the 3D LiDAR simulator designed for?
Outsight created its 3D LiDAR Simulator to serve any use case and application, from airports to mobile robots, smart cities, automotive and industrial applications. The tool draws on Outsight's long experience developing LiDAR software solutions in multiple contexts and on feedback from more than 300 early beta clients from a wide range of industries. Scenes can include people, trees and different types of vehicles and two-wheelers, including bikers, bicycles and scooters for Vulnerable Road User initiatives.
Can I add live people flow data to my existing BIM model?
Yes. A BIM model or existing digital twin already describes the building, and a movement layer can be added on top of it so that every flow and interaction is measured against the real assets. Outsight uses a customer's BIM model or digital twin directly when available and builds a 3D world model with the customer when none exists. Business assets such as desks, gates or counters are defined in that 3D map, so each interaction with a person, vehicle or robot can be measured. This turns a static building model into a live Motional Digital Twin.