In one embodiment, a distance sensor includes a projection light source, a first light guiding means positioned to guide light emitted by the projection light source, a diffractive optical element positioned to split the light guided by the first light guiding means into a plurality of projection beams traveling in different directions, and an image capturing device positioned to capture an image of a field of view, including a projection pattern created by an incidence of the plurality of projection beams on an object in the field of view.