Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a vehicle entry power system using structured light detection are described herein. The method may include waking up the vehicle entry power system utilizing keyfob detection, waking up a smart camera, turning on, by the smart camera, a laser diode, wherein the laser diode projects a light pattern on the ground for a predetermined period of time, stepping, by a user, on the light pattern, detecting, by the smart camera, a shape change in the light pattern, and signaling to the vehicle entry power system to activate a lift gate opening.