Waveshare VL53L1X ToF Distance Ranging Sensor, Ranging up to 4m

Time-of-flight sensing measures distance by timing how long light takes to bounce back from a target, which gives the VL53L1X both better accuracy and a longer effective range than the ultrasonic and basic IR distance sensors commonly used in hobby projects. At up to 4 metres, it covers obstacle detection, proximity sensing, and simple ranging tasks that would push a shorter-range sensor past its reliable limit. It's a solid upgrade pick for any robotics or automation project where distance accuracy actually matters, rather than just a rough 'something is nearby' signal.