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Sub-$200 Lidar could reshuffle auto sensor economics (spectrum.ieee.org)

422 points by mhb · 194 days ago · 564 comments on HN

Article summary

MicroVision, a solid-state sensor technology company, aims to produce a lidar unit costing under $200, which could make lidar more accessible for advanced driver-assistance systems. The company's goal is to eventually break the $100 barrier. Currently, comparable mechanical lidars sell for $10,000 to $20,000. If successful, this could alter the economics of autonomous-car design and make lidar a more viable option for mainstream vehicles.

Main themes

  • Lidar technology
  • Autonomous vehicles
  • Sensor economics
  • Solid-state lidar
  • Advanced driver-assistance systems
  • Autonomous driving

What commenters say

  • Some commenters believe that Tesla's camera-only approach to autonomous driving is flawed and that lidar is a necessary component for safe and reliable autonomous vehicles.
  • Others argue that Tesla's approach has shown promise and that the company is ahead of others in the field, despite some errors and limitations.
  • There is disagreement over the effectiveness of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, with some owners expressing satisfaction and others criticizing its limitations and safety concerns.
  • Some commenters think that the introduction of low-cost lidar could be a game-changer for the autonomous vehicle industry, making it more accessible and affordable for widespread adoption.
  • Others are skeptical about the potential of low-cost lidar, citing the complexity of integrating multiple sensors and the need for more robust testing and validation.
  • There is a debate over the merits of different sensor technologies, including lidar, radar, and cameras, and which combination is best suited for autonomous vehicles.
  • Some commenters question the accuracy of the article and the claims made by MicroVision, citing potential biases and misinformation.
  • The discussion also touches on the regulatory and safety implications of autonomous vehicles, with some commenters emphasizing the need for more stringent testing and validation protocols.