LIDAR stands for Laser Imaging Detection Ranging. As its name suggests, LIDAR emits laser light and analyzes the reflection in a similar concept as radar. There are different types of LIDAR. A relatively simple short range 3-beam LIDAR sensor has been used for autonomous braking at low-speeds, mainly in Europe. While effective for its designed mission and price point, the 3- beam LIDAR is unlikely to be competitive with camera solutions and are therefore unlikely to maintain their dominant position in low-speed emergency braking.
?Flash? LIDARs are also worth watching as emerging technologies. ASCar Inc. is one of the leaders in this vertical. Flash LIDARs consist
of an array of fixed laser beams that collect incoming data with an image sensor. The system promises lightweight 3D imaging with a single laser pulse and direct range calculation that doesn?t rely on complex lens disparity as in stereo cameras.
