<p>Ultrasonic detectors are frequently used for obstacle detection on wheeled robots, where a range of 2 or 3 meters is adequate. For a drone, that might not be enough warning - especially for difficult targets like a thin branch or overhead wire.</p>
<p>I think there are longer range ultrasonic detectors (up to 5 or 10m), but they are larger, heavier and user more power.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-05-10T14:42:23.770Z
Unless you're talking about hobbyist drones (DJI Tello), or other chinese variants which may use them to auto-land or follow your hand around.
ntakouris
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-05-05T06:57:19.260Z
2022-05-05T06:57:19.260Z
Robin Bennett
<p>I am trying to fit front looking ultrasonic sensor for object detection in my small drone. It will be an outdoor drone and I want to build a reliable system to detect objects and avoid collision. How good are ultrasonic sensors for that? How can I compare camera based object depth detection vs ultrasonic depth detection?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-05-19T17:17:26.057Z
[This small LiDAR](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4058?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ZeUBhDyARIsAOzAqQIM8KESOe7mYIJs7yFEEA9MkiXvkregTrs-Ml71gak5ffvxMnga1a8aAjLeEALw_wcB) has an effective range of 40 meters and might suit your need well.
GBG
<long-range-drone><ultrasonic-sensor>
Are ultrasonic sensors good for obstacle detection?
Mike
# Are ultrasonic sensors good for obstacle detection?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-05-04)

I am trying to fit front looking ultrasonic sensor for object detection in my small drone. It will be an outdoor drone and I want to build a reliable system to detect objects and avoid collision. How good are ultrasonic sensors for that? How can I compare camera based object depth detection vs ultrasonic depth detection?

**Tags:** long-range-drone, ultrasonic-sensor
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: [This small LiDAR](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4058?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ZeUBhDyARIsAOzAqQIM8KESOe7mYIJs7yFEEA9MkiXvkregTrs-Ml71gak5ffvxMnga1a8aAjLeEALw_wcB) has an effective range of 40 meters and might suit your need well.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2022-05-05. Score: 3

Ultrasonic detectors are frequently used for obstacle detection on wheeled robots, where a range of 2 or 3 meters is adequate. For a drone, that might not be enough warning - especially for difficult targets like a thin branch or overhead wire.

I think there are longer range ultrasonic detectors (up to 5 or 10m), but they are larger, heavier and user more power.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Unless you're talking about hobbyist drones (DJI Tello), or other chinese variants which may use them to auto-land or follow your hand around.  

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