An active remote sensing system is provided with an array of laser diodes that generate light directed to an object having one or more optical wavelengths that include at least one near-infrared wavelength between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers. One of the laser diodes pulses with pulse duration of approximately 0.5 to 2 nanoseconds at repetition rate between one kilohertz and about 100 megahertz. A beam splitter receives the laser light, separates the light into a plurality of spatially separated lights and directs the lights to the object. A detection system includes a photodiode array synchronized to the array of laser diodes and performs a time-of-flight measurement by measuring a temporal distribution of photons received from the object. The time-of-flight measurement is combined with images from a camera system, and the remote sensing system is configured to be coupled to a wearable device, a smart phone or a tablet.