Warning: Modern Car Lasers Could Break Your iPhone!

If you spend time in online car enthusiast spaces, you may have come across an intriguing video of a Volvo’s lidar sensors wrecking a camera. The original post is simple footage of the vehicle. It seems innocuous at first, but as the camera focuses on the lidar, something happens. More and more colorful dots start to fill the screen. They may look pretty, but they’re also an indication that the camera is damaged. It may seem easy enough to avoid filming the lidar, but if you’re a curious person, you may want more information. And unless you’re well-versed in how car lasers work, you may not understand how they can wreck the camera on an iPhone or most any other camera for that matter.

What Is Lidar?

If you drive a newer car, you may be familiar with lidar even if you don’t recognize the name. This system works in tandem with the other cameras, radar and sensors to help keep you safe on the road. According to Volvo, lidar  “is a laser-based system that collects information about your surroundings, which can be used by several driver support features in your car.” This allows your car to detect other cars ahead of you as well as potential obstructions on the road.

How Does Lidar Work?

The lidar system works with infrared light to get a picture of your vehicle’s surroundings. According to Volvo, “Infrared light waves are continuously sent out and bounce back if they encounter an object in their paths.” The vehicle uses this information, in conjunction with the other sensory systems, to try to  “identify the distance to objects and certain aspects of their movement or appearance.” When it’s working properly, your car will have a good grasp of the layout of the road and can help to keep you safe while you’re driving.

Why Could Lidar Exposure Wreck My Camera?

Lidar is a wonderful tool, so why is it a problem? The lidar systems on your car are lasers, which means they can damage your iPhone. Volvo warns that you should never point your camera right at the lidar, saying that it “uses infrared light waves that may cause damage to certain camera devices. This can include smartphones or phones equipped with a camera.” You may not be able to salvage the camera once the damage sets in. However, you can avoid this danger fairly easily. Take Volvo’s warning seriously and don’t film the lidar.

Source

Lidar detection and limitations, Volvo, 2025

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