How Face ID & 3D LiDAR Scanning Work
Projecting 30,000 invisible infrared dots to construct a millimeter-precise mathematical 3D mesh of your face.
Interactive Exhibit Visualization
Live Simulation Engine
Step 11. Flood Illuminator Detection
Invisible 940nm infrared flash illuminates the face in any lighting condition.
Infrared flood illuminator fires to detect face presence even in complete pitch-black darkness.
Step 1 of 4How Face ID & 3D LiDAR Scanning Work
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Target Audience:Curious Beginners
Face ID doesn't just take a 2D photo — it casts 30,000 invisible infrared dots onto your face to build a 3D depth sculpture that cannot be fooled by photos or videos.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Uses invisible Infrared (IR) light that works in total pitch black darkness.
- ✓Projects 30,000 micro-dots to measure the depth of your nose, eyes, and chin.
- ✓Neural Engine matches the 3D depth mesh against your encrypted facial model.
The Invisible Dot Sculptor
If you unlock your phone with a simple 2D selfie camera, someone could hold up a printed photo of you to fool it.Face ID is completely different: inside the top notch is a miniature laser projector that sprays 30,000 invisible infrared dots across your face. An infrared camera reads how those dots deform across the 3D curves of your nose, cheeks, and forehead.Interactive Challenge+25 XP