360° 3D LiDARs have become the go-to perception solution for mobile robots and low-speed autonomous vehicles. The two products getting the most attention right now — Tantu Smart Mobility's M360 and Livox's MID-360 — each have their strengths. This article breaks down the core spec differences to help you make the right pick.
1. Core Spec Comparison
| Parameter | M360 (Tantu) | MID-360 (Livox) |
|---|---|---|
| Wavelength | 905nm | 905nm |
| Range | 0.05–50m (90% reflectivity) | Up to 70m (80% reflectivity) |
| Near Blind Zone | 0.05m | 0.1m |
| Horizontal FOV | 360° | 360° |
| Vertical FOV | -10° to +60° (70°) | 59° |
| Point Cloud Rate | 200kHz | 200kHz |
| Return Mode | Single / Dual (optional) | Single only |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Draw | <4.5W | 6.5W |
| Input Voltage | 12–32V DC | 9–27V DC |
| IMU | Built-in 6-axis | Built-in (ICM40609) |
| Scan Pattern | Non-repetitive (rotating mirror) | Hybrid solid-state |
| Operating Temp | -10°C to +60°C | -20°C to +55°C |
| Rated Lifespan | ≥10,000 hours | — |
| Rain/Fog Detection | Supported | Not supported |
| Time Sync | PTP v2 / GPS | PTP v2 / GPS |
| Weight | 408g | 265g |
| Dimensions | 78×78×81mm | 65×65×60mm |
2. M360 — Six Core Advantages
IP67 Industrial Protection
Both the M360 and the latest MID-360 carry IP67 ratings — completely dust-proof and rated for temporary submersion. The M360 has offered IP67 since launch, giving it a longer track record in harsh outdoor environments.
Dual-Return Penetration
The M360-D dual-return variant can separately capture forward and backward echoes, seeing through raindrops to the obstacles behind them while also accurately identifying transparent materials like glass. In rain, fog, or around semi-transparent objects, single-return LiDARs tend to lose targets or produce heavy noise.
5cm Near Blind Zone
The M360's near blind zone is just 5cm — half that of the MID-360. For warehouse robots and cleaning robots that navigate through tight rack aisles and dense obstacle fields, that 5cm difference is often what separates "detecting" from "running over" a low obstacle right next to the chassis.
Under 4.5W Power Draw
At <4.5W, the M360 draws less than the MID-360's 6.5W. With the same battery, a robot carrying the M360 runs longer, or you can use a smaller, lighter battery pack for the same runtime.
Built-in IMU + Time Sync
The M360 integrates a 6-axis IMU and supports IEEE 1588 PTP v2 and GPS time sync. The MID-360 also has a built-in IMU (ICM40609) and PTP v2/GPS support. Both support plug-and-play multi-sensor fusion. M360's edge here is its wider input voltage range (12–32V vs 9–27V).
70° Vertical FOV + Non-Repetitive Scanning
The M360's vertical FOV reaches 70° — 11° more than the MID-360. Combined with its non-repetitive scan pattern, horizontal angular resolution dynamically improves to 0.18° over time. In stationary or low-speed scenarios, 3D environmental detail resolution significantly outperforms the MID-360, giving much better detection of small obstacles.
3. Where the MID-360 Wins
Full disclosure — the MID-360 has a few genuine strengths:
- Longer range: 70m at 80% reflectivity, better suited for open-road outdoor scenarios
- Smaller and lighter: 265g vs 408g, friendlier for size-constrained indoor service robots
- DJI ecosystem: More active SDK and ROS driver community support
- Built-in IMU + PTP sync: Also supports plug-and-play multi-sensor fusion
- IP67 rating: Latest version now carries IP67
4. Application-Based Recommendations
🏭 Factory & Warehouse AGV
IP67, low power, dual return — the clear choice for industrial settings
Recommended: M360🚛 Outdoor Logistics Vehicle
Dual-return rain handling + IP67 — reliable outdoor operation
Recommended: M360⚓ Ports & Mining
IP67 + wide temperature range + 10,000h lifespan — built for extremes
Recommended: M360🧭 Multi-Sensor SLAM
Built-in IMU + PTP sync — plug and play, lower integration cost
Recommended: M360🤖 Lightweight Indoor Robot
Smaller and lighter — plenty for gentle indoor environments
Recommended: MID-360🛣️ Long-Range Detection
70m detection range is a meaningful edge in open environments
Recommended: MID-3605. Bottom Line
The M360 is a 3D LiDAR built for real industrial deployment. Its 5cm near blind zone, 4.5W power draw, dual-return capability, 12–32V wide-range input, 70° vertical FOV, and non-repetitive scanning pattern directly affect robot reliability and total cost of ownership in factories, logistics hubs, and port terminals.
The MID-360 is a solid competitor — smaller, lighter, longer-range, with an active developer community, and its latest version now matches IP67 and built-in IMU. If your project needs a LiDAR with smaller blind zones, lower power, and dual-return capability, the M360 deserves a serious look.
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Contact Ms. Gao for detailed M360/M360-D product information and pricing
📞 +86 180-0102-3706 💬 WhatsApp +86 180-0102-3706*Data sources: M360 Manual Ver1.4 (Tantu Smart Mobility) and Livox MID-360 official published specs. Content is for reference only — actual performance may vary. Please refer to the latest official specifications.