Conclusion and future directions

First, we presented the automotive context in which LiDAR technology has been deployed. This included an overview of the complex environment and conditions in which passenger vehicles operate, as well as the use of ADAS functions in current vehicles as part of strategies to improve safety and driving comfort. Emphasis was placed on the need for spatial information in vehicles with a high level of autonomy, and on the role of perception as a basis for decision-making. The aim was to understand why there is increased interest in the use of LiDAR sensors.

Following this, we presented the principles and an overview of LiDAR technologies. We described how a LiDAR "sees" the world with its main components, and gave an overview of where LiDAR technology is heading over the next few years. We summarized current automotive LiDARs and indicated the major constraints for their...