DFRobot
Gravity 8x8 Matrix ToF Distance Sensor - I2C/UART
· MPN: SEN0628
This compact 3D depth-sensing module sits between a simple single-point distance sensor and a full depth camera. It uses an 8×8 Time-of-Flight matrix to retu...
This compact 3D depth-sensing module sits between a simple single-point distance sensor and a full depth camera. It uses an 8×8 Time-of-Flight matrix to return depth data from 64 points, giving your robot or interactive project a much better sense of what is in front of it.
Onboard firmware runs on an RP2040 microcontroller, so the module can deliver real-time ranging data without needing a powerful host processor. It suits obstacle avoidance, drop-off detection, contactless gesture control, reactive lighting and smart automation projects.
It is designed for maker-friendly connection across Arduino, micro:bit, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, LattePanda and UNIHIKER K10 projects, with Gravity-I2C, UART and USB-C connection options. Libraries and tutorials are available for Arduino IDE, Mind+ and MakeCode, and the four selectable I2C addresses allow up to four sensors to be daisy-chained.
The kit includes the Gravity: Matrix Laser Ranging Sensor ×1, PH2.0-4P Connection Cable ×1, Aluminum Alloy Mounting Bracket ×1, Aluminum Alloy Support Bracket ×1, M3 Thumb Screw ×4, M3 Sensor Fixing Screw ×2 and M3×35 Mounting Copper Spacer ×2. During the current version upgrade period, new and old hardware versions may be shipped randomly.
Features:
- 3D depth perception: Generates a 64-pixel depth map that provides context such as obstacles, open paths and table edges.
- Low power consumption: Offers a low-power 3D vision option for maker and robotics projects.
- Plug-and-play compatibility: Designed for straightforward use in robotics, interactive art, gesture recognition and smart automation.
- Supported Platforms: Arduino, micro:bit, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, LattePanda, UNIHIKER K10.
- Supported Programming Methods: Whether using the Arduino IDE, or graphical editors like Mind+ and MakeCode, libraries and tutorials are available.
- Connection Options: Support Gravity-I2C / UART / USB-C.
- Cascading Support: The 4 switchable I2C addresses let you daisy-chain up to four sensors together for a massive field of view.
- Expandable platform: The onboard RP2040 processor allows developers to load custom firmware or run lightweight machine learning models (TinyML).
- Advanced sensing: Can be used to recognise specific gestures, detect movement patterns, or add new features directly on the sensor itself.
- Open-source development: Open-source schematics and comprehensive documentation support advanced robotics, IoT and AI-driven applications.
- Hardware Upgrade (Eco-friendly & Safe): To comply with EN71 standards, the original yellow copper spacers and silver/copper thumb screws have been upgraded to black aluminum versions.
- Firmware Upgrade (V1.3): The firmware has been updated from V1.2 to V1.3.
- Firmware bug fix: This update resolves a bug where invalid distance values would remain fixed (unchanged) when the target exceeded the measurement range.
- Robotics Navigation: Smooth obstacle avoidance and drop-off detection.
- Gesture Control: Reliable contactless interaction for smart devices.
- Interactive Installations: Artistic displays such as “following eyes” or reactive lighting.
- Smart Automation: Directional entryway monitoring and intelligent room sensing.
Specifications:
- Sensor Model: VL53L7CX
- Algorithm Processing MCU: RP2040
- Number of Matrices: 8×8, totaling 64 ranging points
- Ranging Mode: Continuous Ranging
- Ranging Speed: 15Hz - 60Hz
- Ranging Range: 20mm - 3500mm
- Ranging Accuracy (20 - 200mm): ±11mm for white targets, ±12mm for light gray targets, and ±12mm for gray targets;
- Ranging Accuracy (200 - 3500mm): ±5% for white targets, ±6% for light gray targets, and ±6% for gray targets.
- Ranging Angle: 60° horizontal, 60° vertical, 90° diagonal
- Laser Safety Class: Compliant with Class 1 laser safety standards
- Operating Voltage: 3.3V - 5V
- Operating Current: Less than 80mA
- Data Interface: I2C/UART/USB
- Interface Type: PH2.0-4P (Gravity Pinout)
- I2C Address: 4 adjustable options: 0x30/0x31/0x32/0x33
- UART Baud Rate: 115200bps (fixed value, non-modifiable)
- Firmware Update: TYPE-C, USB flash drive mode
A good fit for small robots, room sensing, contactless controls and installations where a 64-point depth map is more useful than a single distance reading.
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- baud
- Baud is the signalling rate of a serial connection, often used as the speed setting for UART communication. Matching the baud rate matters because both connected devices must use the same setting for readable data.
- ESP32
- ESP32 is a family of microcontroller modules with built-in wireless features such as Bluetooth and WiFi. Knowing this product uses an ESP32-based module helps explain how it provides wireless serial communication and firmware update features.
- Gravity
- Gravity is DFRobot’s plug-in connector system for sensors, motors and modules, using standard cables to reduce loose jumper wiring. It matters because Gravity-compatible parts can connect directly to these ports, while non-Gravity parts may need adapters or manual wiring.
- I2C
- I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
- I2C address
- An I2C address is the number a device uses so a microcontroller can tell it apart from other devices on the same I2C bus. It matters because two devices with the same fixed address may conflict if used together.
- IDE
- Short for Integrated Development Environment, a program used to write, run and manage code. It matters because some learners prefer a traditional coding workspace instead of a guided notebook-style lesson.
- IoT
- Short for Internet of Things, meaning physical devices that connect to networks or the internet to send data or be controlled remotely. It matters if you want projects such as connected sensors, remote controls or classroom data-logging activities.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that runs your program and controls connected inputs and outputs. For this product, it is the part that reads buttons and sensors, drives the display and speaker, and communicates over Bluetooth.
- RP2040
- A microcontroller chip used on many maker boards, with enough speed and flexible I/O for some camera and display projects. Compatibility with RP2040 matters because camera modules often need many pins and careful timing to read image data successfully.
- TinyML
- TinyML means running small machine-learning models directly on a microcontroller or small board instead of sending data to a cloud service. It matters because it can make AI projects faster, more private, and usable without constant internet access, but the models must be small enough for the device.
- UART
- UART is a simple serial connection that sends data over separate transmit and receive wires, often labelled TX and RX. It matters because this module is designed to replace a wired UART cable with a wireless link while keeping the same serial data format.
- UNIHIKER
- UNIHIKER is a small programmable computer board used in education and maker projects, often connected to external sensors and modules. Compatibility matters because the cable must match the board’s connector type and pin layout.
- USB-C
- A modern reversible USB connector used for power and data connections. On this product it matters because it can connect directly to a computer as well as to a microcontroller project.
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Sensors & Input
Related Tutorials
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