Benewake has launched a new family of 3D LiDAR for robots, the SR Series, and its first model, the 18-channel SR18, is now in mass production. The Beijing-based company announced the compact, power-efficient 360° sensors on 30 October, alongside a 96-channel sibling called the SR96. The SR18 is priced at US$299 and goes on sale worldwide on 30 November, including through India’s Robu.in.
Founded in 2015, Benewake describes itself as a provider of AI-native perception solutions that act as “eyes for robots.” The company says it follows a “model-defined hardware” approach, drawing on in-house expertise across optics, mechanical engineering, electronics, software, algorithms and chip design. It serves customers in more than 90 countries and regions.
Who the SR Series 3D LiDAR for robots targets
According to Benewake, the series is designed for:
- Commercial cleaning robots
- Robotic lawn mowers
- Quadruped robots and embodied AI platforms
- Last-mile delivery robots
- Industrial mobile robots
Both the SR18 and SR96 combine small blind zones with long-range detection, according to the company. They use Benewake’s proprietary sensing architecture, which is designed to reduce crosstalk between channels and keep perception stable in complex, reflective environments.
SR18 size, power and range
The SR18 measures 71.8 mm in diameter and 64 mm in height, weighs 190 g and draws no more than 5 W on average. Benewake says this helps developers add 3D sensing to robots with limited space and power budgets.
Key specifications from the announcement:
- Minimum detection distance of 15 cm
- Range of up to 30 m at 10% reflectivity
- 360° horizontal coverage
- Vertical field of view from −8° to +40°
- IP66-rated enclosure
- Operating temperature range of −20 °C to +60 °C, for indoor and outdoor use
How the design handles reflections and terrain
The SR18 uses an integrated transmitter-receiver architecture that pairs each laser emitter with its own photodetector. By reducing interference between channels, Benewake says, the design helps preserve object contours and keeps ranging data consistent for mapping and localization. That lowers the risk of a robot getting lost in highly reflective spaces.
The sensor’s downward-angled channels are meant to spot low obstacles and changes in terrain as they come into view. Benewake highlights robotic lawn mowers on uneven ground as a use case, where catching sudden drops can help reduce the risk of falls and damage.
Firmware updates and availability of the 3D LiDAR for robots
The series supports remote firmware updates, which Benewake says can deliver feature enhancements and performance improvements without replacing hardware, cutting the need for on-site servicing. The company also points to competitive pricing and global availability as factors meant to support adoption at scale.
The SR18 will be sold through Mouser Electronics, Amazon, Robu.in and Alibaba.com from 30 November 2026. The announcement does not give pricing or a production date for the SR96.
As a writer, I think the US$299 price and Robu.in listing could put 360° 3D sensing within reach of Indian robotics startups and hobbyists, though independent performance tests are not yet available. For more on robots and machine perception, see our stories on AiMOGA’s Mobo home humanoid robot and predicting self-driving car mistakes.
FAQ
What is the Benewake SR18?
It is an 18-channel, 360° 3D LiDAR for mobile robots that weighs 190 g, draws no more than 5 W on average and detects objects from 15 cm to 30 m.
How much does the SR18 cost and when can I buy it?
It is priced at US$299 and will be available worldwide from 30 November 2026 through Mouser Electronics, Amazon, Robu.in and Alibaba.com.
Which robots is it designed for?
Benewake lists cleaning robots, robotic lawn mowers, quadruped robots, embodied AI platforms, last-mile delivery robots and industrial mobile robots.