The VL53L0X from St microelectronic Select new is a time of flight ranging system integrated into a compact module.
The VL53L0 uses ST's Flightsense technology to precisely measure how long it takes for emitted pulses of infrared laser light to reach the nearest object and be reflected back to a detector, so it can be considered a tiny – Self-contained Lidar system.

This time of flight (rubber) measurement allows it to accurately determine the absolute distance to a target without the object's reflectance greatly influencing the measurement. The sensor can report distances of up to 2 m (6.6 ft) with 1 mm resolution, but its effective range and accuracy (noise) depend heavily on ambient conditions and target characteristics like reflectance and size, as well as the sensor configuration. (the sensor's accuracy is specified to range from ± 3% at, best to over ± 10% in less ideal conditions.)

Ranging Measurements are available through the sensor's I2 °C (Twi) interface, which is also be used to configure sensor settings, and the sensor provides two additional pins: A Shut Down Input and an interrupt output.
The VL53L0X is a great IC, but it's small, leadless, LGA package makes it difficult for the typical student or hobbyist to use.

It also operates at a recommended voltage of 2.8 V, which can make interfacing difficult for microcontrollers operating at 3.3 V or 5 V Our breakout board addresses these issues, making it easier to get started using the sensor while keeping the overall size as small as possible.

Specifications:

Model: VL53L0X
Working Voltage: 2.6 V – 5.5 V
Report distance: up to 2 m/6.6 ft
Resolution: 1 mm
Pin: VCC, GND, SDA, SCL, GPI01, Xchut
Pin spacing: 2.54 mm
Dimensions: 2.5 x 1.2 cm

you can watch this demo to learn how this module works (the module in this video is from another manufacturer):