The Livox Mid-360 has been the default choice for 3D LiDAR on mobile robots since 2023. Now there are two new options worth your attention: the Mid-360S (Livox's 2025 upgrade) and the Tantu M360 (a third-party alternative with unique capabilities). This article compares all three head-to-head to help you make the right choice.
Full Specification Comparison
| Parameter | Tantu M360 | Livox Mid-360 | Livox Mid-360S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scan Type | Mirror-spinning (non-repetitive) | Hybrid solid-state (non-repetitive) | Hybrid solid-state (non-repetitive) |
| Wavelength | 905nm | 905nm | 905nm |
| Range (10% reflectivity) | 25m | 40m | ~40m |
| Range (80% reflectivity) | 50m | 70m | ~70m |
| Blind Zone | 5cm | 10cm | Improved |
| Horizontal FOV | 360° | 360° | 360° |
| Vertical FOV | 70° (-10°~+60°) | 59° | Larger (check livoxtech.com) |
| Point Cloud Rate | 200kHz | 200kHz | 200kHz+ |
| Return Mode | Single / Dual (M360-D) | Single | Single |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Consumption | <4.5W | 6.5W | Optimized |
| Input Voltage | 12-32V DC | 9-27V DC | 9-27V DC |
| Built-in IMU | 6-axis (IIM42652) | ICM40609 | Improved (check livoxtech.com) |
| Time Sync | PTP v2 / GPS (reserved) | PTP v2 / GPS | PTP v2 / GPS |
| Operating Temp | -10°C ~ +60°C | -20°C ~ +55°C | -20°C ~ +55°C |
| Rated Lifespan | ≥10,000 hours | Not published | Not published |
| Rain/Fog Detection | Yes | No | No |
| Angular Error | ≤0.18° | ≤0.15° | Improved |
| Weight | 408g | 265g | Lighter |
| Dimensions | 78×78×81mm | 65×65×60mm | More compact |
| SDK / ROS | Livox SDK2 compatible | Native Livox SDK2 + ROS | Native Livox SDK2 + ROS |
| Official Price | Contact SmartB | $749+ | $799+ |
What's New with the Mid-360S?
Livox launched the Mid-360S in 2025 to address pain points that AMR engineers encountered with the original Mid-360 in real-world deployments. Key improvements include:
- Better precision — improved angular accuracy for more consistent point clouds
- More compact and lighter — easier to mount on small robots
- Enhanced reliability — designed for higher uptime in 24/7 AMR operations
- Same ecosystem — 100% compatible with existing Livox SDK2 and ROS drivers
If you're already in the Livox ecosystem and buying new, the S version is the logical choice. But if you need dual-return echo, 5cm blind zone, or 12-32V wide voltage, the M360 offers capabilities that neither Livox product provides.
Where Each Product Wins
Tantu M360 Wins On:
- Blind zone: 5cm is half the Mid-360's 10cm. Critical for tight-space navigation.
- Dual-return echo: Unique capability to see through rain and detect glass. No Livox product offers this.
- Power consumption: <4.5W saves battery life on mobile platforms.
- Input voltage range: 12-32V covers more industrial battery systems.
- Vertical FOV: 70° vs 59° = 18% more vertical coverage per scan.
- Rated lifespan: ≥10,000 hours gives concrete reliability data for long-term planning.
- Rain/fog detection: Auto-adjusts for adverse weather conditions.
- Operating temp upper limit: +60°C vs +55°C.
Livox Mid-360/Mid-360S Win On:
- Detection range: 40m at 10% reflectivity vs 25m. Significant for outdoor and large-space use.
- Weight and size: 265g / 65×65×60mm is best-in-class for compact robots.
- Angular precision: ≤0.15° is tighter than M360's ≤0.18°.
- Low-temp operation: -20°C vs M360's -10°C.
- GPS time sync: Fully available and documented (M360's is reserved/not yet open).
- Ecosystem: Largest open-source community, best documentation, most tutorial content.
- Mid-360S upgrades: Improved precision, lighter form factor, better reliability.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
🏭 Factory / Warehouse AGV
→ Tantu M360. The combination of 5cm blind zone (shelf navigation), IP67 (dust), <4.5W (long shifts), and 12-32V (standard AGV batteries) makes it the best fit. See detailed comparison.
🚛 Outdoor Logistics Robot
→ Tantu M360-D for rain/fog environments. → Livox Mid-360S for longer detection range in mostly dry conditions.
🤖 Indoor Service / Delivery Robot
→ Livox Mid-360S. Lightest, smallest, best ecosystem. The 40m range and small form factor are ideal for indoor environments.
🔬 Research / Prototyping
→ Livox Mid-360 or Mid-360S. The largest community means more tutorial content, GitHub examples, and troubleshooting resources. Essential for fast prototyping.
🏗️ Construction / Heavy Industrial
→ Tantu M360. ≥10,000h rated lifespan, 70° FOV for comprehensive 3D coverage, dual-return for glass/dust penetration, wide voltage for various power systems.
🧊 Cold Storage / Freezer Operations
→ Livox Mid-360 or Mid-360S. -20°C low-temp support where M360 only handles -10°C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mid-360S worth the extra cost over the original Mid-360?
If you're buying new, yes. The S version addresses real deployment issues (precision consistency, reliability). The price premium is modest. However, if your existing Mid-360s are working fine, upgrading isn't necessary.
Can the M360 use Livox's ROS drivers?
Yes, the M360 is compatible with the Livox SDK2 protocol and works with livox_ros_driver2. Configuration adjustments are typically needed.
Is dual-return echo really useful?
In dry indoor environments, not particularly. But for any outdoor operation where rain, fog, or light snow is possible, dual-return provides measurably cleaner point clouds and fewer false obstacle detections.
Why doesn't Livox offer dual-return?
Livox's hybrid solid-state architecture uses a unique non-repetitive scanning pattern. Adding dual-return would likely require significant hardware changes. The M360's mirror-spinning architecture is more naturally compatible with multi-return detection.
Which sensor has the best long-term support track record?
Livox, by far. They've been shipping LiDAR since 2019 and have the most established support infrastructure. The M360 is newer and its long-term support depends on Tantu SmartB's commitment. That said, the M360's Livox SDK2 compatibility provides a fallback.
What about the M360's GPS time sync being "reserved"?
The M360 hardware includes GPS interface capability, but the firmware feature is currently in reserve and not yet enabled. If GPS synchronization is critical for your application, the Livox products have it available now.
Can I replace a Mid-360 with an M360 without changing my software?
In most cases, yes. Since the M360 is compatible with Livox SDK2, your ROS nodes (FAST-LIO2, LIO-SAM, etc.) should work with configuration changes (IP address, scan parameters). However, thoroughly test before deploying.