LiDAR integration in UAV simulation in Simscape Multibody

Can UAV LiDAR block be integrated in Simulink Simscape Multibody simulation for quadcopter? Can the block scan the imported CAD models in SimMechanics Explorer and return point cloud data? I couldn't find any material implying whether this is possible or not. Please advise me on alternative methods since I only know it's possible to attach a LiDAR to an UAV and scan the environment in the Unreal Engine plug-in.

Thank you very much!

Answer 1

[Jianxin Sun]

Hi Hoang,

There is no direct way to transfer models from Simscape into Unreal editor. But if you already have CAD models, you could consider import these CAD models directly into Unreal editor. Here are some links that might be helpful:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/uav/ug/customize-scenes-using-simulink-and-unreal-editor.html Check the "Add assets to Scene" section.

https://docs.unrealengine.com/5.1/en-US/working-with-content-in-unreal-engine/ shows more instructions on how to work with models in Unreal editor

Jianxin

[Hoang Trung Le]

@Jianxin Sun thank you so much for your thorough answer and the helpful links.

So, I just want to clarify that it is not possible, at least in a straightforward way, to attach the UAV LiDAR block on a UAV and scan (also get point cloud data) of CAD objects imported in SimMechanics Explorer through Simscape Multibody's File Solid blocks?