TikTok rolls out first AR effect powered by Apple’s LiDAR sensor

TikTok has released its first Augmented Reality (AR) video effect for Apple’s recently launched devices that ship with a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor, specifically the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max and the new iPad Pro.

The company took to Twitter to announce the rollout of the new effect. The company said that the effect was created to celebrate the new year and that the technology would 'visually bridge' the digital and physical worlds. TikTok also said that it plans to develop more ‘innovative effects’ this year.

LiDAR is a remote sensing method that uses infrared light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure the distances between distant objects. The technology can essentially be used to create a virtual map of a user’s surroundings that can be easily understood by a computer.

The effect shows a person standing under a shiny descending orb with a countdown, which eventually explodes with confetti that lands on his hair, arms, and parts of the sofa around him. When he finally walks away, the confetti slowly falls away and lands on the floor and the sofa.

It’s worth noting that while TikTok is one of the first social media services to adopt LiDAR technology, it was Snapchat that first rolled out support for it when it integrated it into one of its Lenses. However, it is good to see more widespread adoption of the technology so quickly after its release.

Many other apps have also started to leverage Apple devices’ new sensor technology, including Measure, RoomScan LiDAR, and IKEA Place. These apps let users measure objects, reimagine their living room furniture, or even learn about human anatomy. Developers are also rolling out games like Hot Lava that turns your house floor into a molten lava pit.