more auto tech using lasers

[Dr_Evil]

Yet another thing to add weight to a vehicle and cost an arm & leg to repair. Of course you could probably get by without it in states that don't have inspections.

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/this-ford-concept-car-shoots-lasers-to-help-it-see-77806572599.html

The spinning antlers on top of the Ford Fusion Hybrid research vehicle are more than just ornamental. And, in spite of appearances, they’re not there to fend off fellow hybrids during mating season.

They’re actually part of a futuristic detection system the company is looking to implement in self-driving vehicles. The technology is called LiDAR — as in, light and radar. It’s similar to the echolocation found in dolphins, only with light in the place of sound.

 

[BShanahan14rulz]

I would guess that with LiDAR you could actually reproduce a 3D environment, while with standard sonar maybe not have the resolution necessary to "paint" the full picture. It would be neat to have those be retrofittable. Insurance discounts? Government help to pay for device? I still like driving, but if ALL cars were automatic, there could potentially be little to no traffic

 

[TheDukeAnumber1]

My small experience with LIDAR is at an old internship of mine they would hire a company to fly over their sites and make an elevation map with the data.