Lidar is a new and upcoming technology that is based on laser beams, not laser waves. Until now more than two suppliers have announced their plans to begin mass production of lidar based systems that will increase automobile safety.
The race is on!
All this points to the fact, that the technology is cheap and ready for adaptation. A German supplier has confirmed that they are currently in production mode, and the first system will be ready for installation in 2016. Velodyne Acoustics Inc., another manufacturer citing an opportunity has announced that they are currently in talks for a mass production contract.
Their goal is go live with the system in less than 18 months. Self-driving cars seem to be the future. We have seen them in action in a lot of Hollywood movies. It seems that the new lidar technology can be the answer that will take this technology to the people. Let there be light!
User case scenarios for Lidar system
So how does it look? How does it operate? How does it improve consumer’s life? Lidar is a coffee maker-shaped device that is constantly spinning at a certain defined pace. It will be placed on the roofs of those self-driving cars that we keep hearing about, and help them scan the roads. Using the laser beams, lidar will scan and collect data on everything that lies in the vehicle’s path using the reflected rays of light.
Automakers are now testing high tech cameras to find the most effective way of detecting and avoiding obstacles on the road. The radar is capable of detecting speed of the vehicle and distance in-between two objects. Cameras can be used to take pictures, decipher shadows, and improve the overall performance.
Radars are very accurate when it comes to calculating distances and speed. The new lidar and radar based technology is being called ?Safety Sense?. A fitting name, but if lidar is to make it to the masses, it has to deliver more than just a fancy name. Especially when there are peoples’ lives on the line.
So what else can lidar do? It can apply brakes to avoid a collision; it can dim or increase headlights, make announcements, shout warnings when you are changing lanes (unknowingly), and so on. Maybe lidar will become Jarvis one day. We just don’t want it to become Ultron or Skynet though!
Cost to end users
The wonderful news is that the technology is cost effective, and since manufactures are targeting lower-mid range consumers, the estimated price is being calculated at around $300 for the base model. It is extremely affordable. Maybe we can also use it on cars that are powered by human intellect. The discussion on that one is still open.
The range has been calculated at around 16.4 yards which is enough for some tasks but certainly not equal to the human eye (not even close to the human eye aided with glasses) and brain. The higher end version will be equipped with better radars and more powerful cameras. It will be priced at around $500. Far cheaper than what some people expected. All sorts of possibilities are being considered right now. One of them is using a multi-lidar system that will be able to throw laser beams in a 360 degree pattern and provide more data. This can be used on express highways.
It will help save a lot of lives, cases in point ? drunk drivers, drivers on drugs, tired drives, and so on. We are eagerly anticipating this new technology, and we are hoping that it will be used and not abused. After all, this is not social security!