Safety Laser Scanner Selection Guide

Which Safety Laser Scanner Should I Use for an AGV, AMR, or Automated Manufacturing System?

Start with the protective function, required safety and warning fields, vehicle speed, stopping distance, field switching, controls architecture, environmental conditions, and whether the application is mobile or stationary.

Short answer: Use the UAM-05LP for compact, versatile mobile or stationary safeguarding with up to 32 safety-area patterns. Choose the UAM-05LPA when an AGV or AMR needs more field patterns, expanded I/O, four-encoder input, and improved environmental resistance. Select the UAM-05LECA-T301 when EtherCAT network integration, centralized management, multiple protection zones, or extensive pattern switching is required.

Choose the UAM model by system requirement

Compact, proven flexibility

UAM-05LP

Best starting point for compact AGVs, AMRs, automated carts, robotic cells, and access protection that need configurable mobile or stationary safeguarding.

5 m safety zone
Up to 20 m warning area
270° field of view
32 safety-area patterns
Ethernet measurement and intensity data

View UAM-05LP

Advanced AGV and AMR control

UAM-05LPA

Best for newer mobile platforms needing flexible speed-dependent field switching, stronger environmental performance, and more configuration capacity.

5 m safety zone
Up to 30 m warning area
270° field of view
128 area patterns
Expanded digital I/O and four-encoder input

View UAM-05LPA

EtherCAT network integration

UAM-05LECA-T301

Best when multiple scanners must be configured, monitored, and controlled through an EtherCAT architecture or when the system requires more zones and pattern options.

EtherCAT connectivity
Up to five safety protection zones
Maximum of 176 switchable area patterns
Centralized configuration and monitoring
Raw measurement data through the EtherCAT master

View UAM-05LECA-T301

Safety laser scanner comparison

Requirement	UAM-05LP	UAM-05LPA	UAM-05LECA-T301
Best fit	Compact mobile and stationary safeguarding	Advanced AGV/AMR field switching and durability	EtherCAT-connected mobile or stationary systems
Safety range	Up to 5 m	Up to 5 m	Verify current product specification
Warning range	Up to 20 m	Up to 30 m	Verify current product specification
Pattern capacity	32 safety-area patterns	128 area patterns	Up to 176 switchable area patterns
Notable integration feature	Ethernet measurement and intensity output	Expanded I/O and four-encoder input	EtherCAT configuration, monitoring, output control, and measurement data

How to select a scanner for an AGV or AMR

Calculate the protective field. Include maximum vehicle speed, braking performance, controller and scanner response time, load overhang, floor conditions, and the applicable safety distance calculation.
Plan speed-dependent fields. A mobile robot may need different protective and warning fields for forward travel, reverse travel, turning, docking, and multiple speed ranges.
Choose field-switching inputs. Determine whether digital I/O, encoders, or EtherCAT should supply speed and state information.
Account for the environment. Evaluate dust, ambient light, nearby scanners, vibration, temperature, floor reflections, and the likelihood of lens contamination.
Confirm diagnostic and navigation needs. If measurement data will also support localization or obstacle detection, verify the network and controller requirements without compromising the safety function.
Validate the complete safety system. The scanner is one component. Final selection, mounting, wiring, field design, stopping performance, commissioning, and validation must follow the applicable standards and risk assessment.

Safety note: Do not select a scanner solely by range. The correct model and field configuration depend on the machine or vehicle risk assessment and the complete safety-related control system. Consult qualified safety personnel and the current Hokuyo manuals and specifications before implementation.

Mobile and stationary application examples

AGVs and automated carts

Protect travel paths and change safety fields according to direction, speed, turning state, and load geometry.

Autonomous mobile robots

Combine protective fields with warning zones and, where appropriate, measurement data for mobile-platform awareness.

Robotic cells and machinery

Monitor floor areas, access points, and hazardous zones around automated equipment in stationary applications.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best safety laser scanner for a compact AGV?

The UAM-05LP is a strong starting point for a compact AGV that needs a 5-meter safety zone, a warning area up to 20 meters, a 270° field of view, and up to 32 safety-area patterns. The final selection must be verified through the system risk assessment and stopping-distance calculation.

When should I choose the UAM-05LPA instead of the UAM-05LP?

Choose the UAM-05LPA when the platform benefits from a warning area up to 30 meters, 128 area patterns, expanded digital I/O, four-encoder input, improved resistance to dust and light interference, or more flexible speed-dependent field switching.

Which Hokuyo safety scanner supports EtherCAT?

The UAM-05LECA-T301 adds EtherCAT connectivity for centralized configuration, monitoring, output control, encoder information, raw measurement data, and flexible management of multiple protection zones and patterns.

Can the same scanner support safety and navigation?

Some UAM models can provide measurement data that may be used by a navigation controller, but the safety function and navigation function must be designed and validated correctly. Confirm the model, network architecture, response times, and integration requirements with Hokuyo and qualified safety personnel.

Get the safety scanner selection reviewed

Provide the vehicle or machine type, maximum speed, stopping performance, required field geometry, operating environment, controller, I/O or network preference, and applicable safety requirements. Hokuyo-USA can help identify the UAM model that should be evaluated.

Discuss your application View safety laser scanners