The present invention discloses a multi-sensor merging based super-close distance autonomous navigation apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a sensor subsystem, an information merging subsystem, a sensor scanning structure, and an orientation guiding structure, wherein a visible light imaging sensor and an infrared imaging sensor are combined together, and data are acquired by combining a passive measurement mode composed of an optical imaging sensor and an active measurement mode composed of a laser distance measuring sensor. Autonomous navigation is divided into three stages, that is, a remote distance stage, implemented by adopting a navigation mode where a binocular visible light imaging sensor and a binocular infrared imaging sensor are combined, a close distance stage, implemented by adopting a navigation mode where a binocular visible light imaging sensor, a binocular infrared imaging sensor and a laser distance measuring sensor array are combined, and an ultra-close distance stage, implemented by adopting a navigation mode of a laser distance measuring sensor array. Through the present invention, the field of view and the exploration range are widened, the problem of shielding existing in passive measurement is effectively solved, the precision of data measurement is ensured, and the navigation efficiency and the safety and reliability of navigation are improved.