Autonomous vehicles have the potential to bring significant change to the way we travel. These self-driving vehicles are equipped with sensors and technologies that enable them to navigate roads without human intervention.

While several technologies work together to create an autonomous vehicle, lidar stands out as one of the most crucial. This laser-based ranging system helps the vehicle detect its surroundings. Learn more about why lidar is important for autonomous vehicles with this rundown.

Offers Great Precision

Autonomous vehicles can use several sensors, but none can match the precision of lidar. For example, cameras and radar are common in autonomous vehicles, but they have limitations. Cameras require good lighting and visibility in order to provide clear images. Radar works well in poor lighting or inclement weather but doesn’t offer the precision necessary to identify small objects.

Lidar offers incredibly high precision and doesn’t rely on exterior lighting conditions to perform. This allows autonomous vehicles to detect and identify small objects and details while operating in a wide range of environments.

Provides Data in Real Time

Autonomous vehicles need to make quick decisions while driving, and lidar plays an essential role in providing the real-time data required for quick execution. Lidar systems are important for autonomous vehicles because they can scan the surrounding environment multiple times per second and generate a constant stream of data for the computer to process. This constant stream of data helps the vehicle to respond quickly to changes in the environment, making autonomous vehicles safe and reliable in real-world situations.

It’s Essential for Future Development

As autonomous vehicle technology improves, lidar becomes more crucial for future development. New systems using lidar for autonomous vehicles include lightweight and compact designs, making the technology more versatile for a variety of autonomous driving solutions. Furthermore, increased demand makes lidar more affordable and accessible to companies involved in autonomous vehicle development.

Hesai Technology is committed to improving lidar technology. With new developments and innovations, our lidar solutions will help autonomous vehicles become safer, more reliable, and more accessible in the future.